FLASH WARNING ⚠️ Sorry, it has been brought to my attention that I should’ve put one at the start. Sources: Sections of this video are direct quotations from the essay, Arcane Revenge by Sam Gurry. Gurry has reached out to me to help me rectify my mistake and helped highlight the sections in which I haven't appropriately attributed them. I had attributed them broadly in the description, but not the specific time. Thankfully, Sam has educated me and accepted my sincerest apologies and has even been graceful enough to offer encouragement, education and many kind words. I did get a little muddled as I was trying to structure everything. I know I've been uploading to TH-cam for about a year, but I'm frankly still quite ignorant to making these videos and didn't mean to do so out of malice. Again, sincerest apologies. The link to the original article is here: medium.com/@samgurry/arcane-revenge-1fb4625cc1c8 Sam is a professor and teaches animation history and media criticism at a few universities. You can find Sam @slamgurry on Instagram or instagram.com/slamgurry/ Sam is also a filmmaker of 'Winners B*tch' and 'The Biggest Wad is Mine'. You can find more details at their IMDB: www.imdb.com/name/nm2568309/ You can also find out more about them here on their website: www.samgurry.com/about 03:42:26, 04:18:52, 04:42:21, 04:53:47 - 04:59:40, 05:17:09 - 05:22:50, 04:42:21, 06:59:45 - 07:05:33, 07:21:11, 08:34:32, 19:07:32 - 18:25:08, 21:56:40 - 22:02:14, 22:26:16 - 22:37:42, 22:08:49 - 22:08:49, 28:45:25 - 28:52:04, 32:14:43 - 32:46:57, 30:30:35 - 30:35:28, 39:11:54 - 39:50:47, 40:05:59 - 40:10:37 If you see any mistakes or crediting errors, I have added an email where you can reach out to me; I haven't been reading much of the comments since it's been affecting my anxiety. Belladonna of Sadness by Cineliciouspics. A Thousand and One Nights (1969)/Cleopatra (1970) by AntBit. Belladonna of Sadness by Jonathan Clements. The Misunderstanding and Necessity of ‘Belladonna of Sadness’ by Erin Brady. Belladonna of Sadness: A Woman in Green by Hitch. Eiichi Yamamoto’s Belladonna of Sadness by Payton McCarty-Simas. Belladonna of Sadness by Alissa Wilkinson. Exploitation or Empowerment: Sexual Violence in Belladonna of Sadness (1973) by Serena Ramsey. Belladonna of Sadness by Natalie Ng. The Full Potential of Anime: Belladonna of Sadness by netizengalreviews. ‘Belladonna of Sadness,’ a Bewitching Masterpiece by Glenn Kenny. S*xual or s*xualisation will be pronounced as 'seggs'ulisation. Sorry for the sound quality, I didn't have much time to put this together. I checked the audio once and it sounded fine at the time. Subtitles have been added. Finally, I don't believe I said "I" thought this was feminist; I don't think I was even explicit with my own views - just that 'an interpretation' or 'other critics' view this as feminist. It is one of three interpretations and you do not have to agree with anything said in this video, even if I'm talking within absolutes. These were just interpretations proposed in the video. This video is not used to 'push an agenda' or '[my] ideology'.
@@WobblesandBean Don't know if they were an incel (comment is gone and I've had similar ones before on other videos, specifically saying 'your generation' (what generation?) and 'you don't see the truth', 'your ideology'), but I only included the interpretation because it was a common one. I flip flopped back to argue why it may not be perceived feminist by others critics. I didn't even say I agreed with the feminist interpretation. Ironic that they say I'm pushing my ideology onto others when I feel as though they're fixing an ideology and label onto me. I don't think I revealed my ideology. (We don't do that here.) Even if I'm looking at something from a feminist lens, it's only because it's either a (common) interpretation other people have or it will be explicitly stated as a film maker's intent (if I analyse other films).
You did a fantastic job with this. I subscribed can't wait to see other movies you retell. Also I saw the edited version which was shorter. You showed some scenes that weren't in the version I saw. Thank you will have to see the real long version now.
As a sexual abuse survivor, I find this a beautifully designed story that talks about not only the guilt that comes from being a victim of rape, and the symbolism of "the devil" can be very much the confronting of guilt, the suppression of your sexuality as you fear you might lose credibility of being a survivor if you appear too sexual or continue to enjoy sex then people begin to doubt your experience. There is so much said without words, it's the journey of healing, only to become a victim again, and then you find yourself and your own agency. Sadly the time period treated the enlightened woman as they did the midwives during the height of the witch trials, they killed her. But in doing so made her a martyr.
the part where "if you do enjoy sexual things instead of being frighten by them like a "real victim" would you start to doubt your credibility of being a survivor, and doubt your experience" part was so true, thats exactly how I feel, I'm just continuing my life like it "never happened"
I'm currently writing something similar called belladonna of revenge. Here's a little synopsis. Lena DuPont is a young French-American descendant woman with a face deformity due to an accident several years ago. She lives alone on the countryside having inherited a large house with several items from her grandmother she copes all of her problems and fears with alcohol everyday. One day she went to sleep early on her new lonely house just to wake up on a forrest alone. As she try to adapt and know what has happen her eyes meet a beautifull woman and some marvelous and disturbing events. After a brief time Lena reach a breaking point as she watches her worst fear is about to became a reality. She is now forced to keep on beeing just an onlooker or face reality and became an active participant.
as somebody who is a survivor of sexual abuse, I believe the rape scene was handled incredibly well. it so perfectly encapsulates that desperate hopeless harrowing feeling of being assaulted while also refraining from showing any explicit or objectifying imagery. we don't actually see the rape happen: we just see what Jeanne is feeling. we're watching her emotional journey through this process, not the actual rape itself. it steers in a completely different direction than how most sexual assault scenes are portrayed in media. it made me feel seen, not objectified unlike most other sexual assault scenes in media. it moved me very deeply.
💖💖 I see you, the rape scenes nowadays definitely do not depict the invasiveness well... It is a bittersweet feeling to know that survivors are seen yet silenced
I haven't seen this film yet, but I guess that was what made a similar scene in irreversible seem so uncomfortable for me. There's arguably more focus put on the choking, uncomfortable atmosphere and the fallout of it then the act itself, although irreversible's depiction is far more extreme and blunt than this (it's intended to cause discomfort to carry the feelings that the characters feeling, and it's literally an 8 minute one take that's mostly a still floor level shot, and is shot to deliberately be as uncomfortable as possible). It's potentially more triggering but if you want another example of an accurate and empathetic depiction that is one.
Hi, Blanche! 💖 Nice profile picture. I respect your opinion! And, to be honest, it’s quite a powerful message on its own even if it’s interpreted as not having any feminism; just a tragedy.
Personally, I think it's a very feminist film. It's a realistic portrayal and critique of how women are treated in society, which just like in real life, doesn't lead to a happy ending for most women. That's especially true of Japan, and DOUBLY so during the 1970s when this was made. That, to me, makes it a feminist film in the purest sense. Jeanne is a construct, a symbol through which the audience can see all of the most common ways women are disregarded and even treated with disdain and apathy by greater society. Jeanne has done nothing wrong, yet gets treated horrifically simply for being a woman. First her beauty and her virginity are exploited and become a source of great pain for her, as older men only see those two traits as the only value a woman has. We then see Jeanne overcome her trauma and gain power and influence through her own skill and talent alone. But even though the townspeople are happy to benefit from her hard work, they immediately turn on her the instant a man exposes her body, reminding them that she is a woman, and therefore should not be qualified to fulfill the roles that up until that moment, Jeanne not only succeeded at, but thrived in. It's the same tired double standard women have dealt with for centuries, and still deal with now in countless professions that have arbitrarily been categorized as "men's work". Finally, when everything has been taken from her and she abandons her previous life to become a witch living harmoniously in nature far removed from the organized society who shunned her, she again achieves power and influence,. Only this time, instead of her talent being incidental and irrelevant to her gender, now her power stems directly from it. Even her choice to embrace the devil is not a fault for her, as the church had done nothing but treat her horribly and try to make women fear their own bodies, rather than celebrate them. Once Jeanne embraces her womanliness, she flourishes. She even forgives all of the people who have betrayed her, for she is ultimately kind, and wants to show the repressed church that her way of life eases suffering, whereas the church only seems to cause it. But she is betrayed again by men in power and especially the clergy, mirroring the real life fate of respected and revered medicine women suddenly being stamped out by the church and labeled as heathen. Even the ending is not necessarily bleak. The first time she is betrayed, the rest of society turns against her, too. But the second time, the townsfolk rise up in defiance of the church to defend her. It's only the might of the deacon and his superior weaponry that ultimately cows the townsfolk into silence. I think this shows that society is slowly beginning to change their attitudes towards women, but feel pressured by current societal norms to keep any progressive opinions to themselves and continue upholding the status quo. Change is still far off, but at least the seed of hope is there that one day that change will come.
If you do read this as a feminist piece, or at least anti-patriarchy, I think her becoming more beautiful is her shocked that even though she no longer traditionally fits into the societal role as a woman, she still is desired. She believes she’s subverting the male gaze in becoming more powerful and confident, but she STILL is being viewed by her physicality as opposed to her power. As women, no matter what we do we will be objectified and seen as being there for the sexual pleasure and viewing of men, no matter our individual standing in society.
Reminded me of the movie Malena. When she became a prostitute, she was hated by everyone but men still desired her. Also a very sad film but that one was really made for men to look at Malena so it made me really angry throughout.
This film has the most unsettlingly accurate portrayal of grape at the very beginning. You don't see any actual penetration and it isn't even all that graphic, but the way they animate it is the single most realistic way I've seen it done as far as how it makes you feel. I still can't watch that scene again. It's too real.
It does a good job of making the viewer uncomfortable. That would be my main guideline for visual depictions of SA/r*pe: this is subjective as hell, but it should look like it was meant to make the viewer feel disgusted and intensely afraid the way the victim feels. It's kind of obvious if something is meant to titillate by sexualizing the depiction of an SA victim.
@@dani.1170 If youtube doesn't censor it, I think it'd important to say the actual word. It's a serious topic, it might be uncomfortable but I think it's important.
This essay provided me with much needed cultural and historical context to understand the movie. Even with the audio problems, your video kept me engaged all the way through. Great job!
How dumb can you be to not know about French revolution also nice nitpicking you dumbass did someone even bother to send you to school? Guess nobody gave a fuck
I find it interesting that they made Jeanne the pinnacle of ‘what a woman should be’. She is kind, soft and beautiful while also persevering through her hardships with kindness towards those who would turn their backs on her. She isn’t rageful, nor is she vindictive, she merely try’s to be seen as good in the people’s eyes. Jeanne’s beauty and kindness is ultimately her down fall. no matter who she pleases, she will always remain the martyr because of her attributes and she will remain as such.
I love the color symbolism analysis and you explaining the context of the cultural differences. Being able to interpret art however you like really makes me believe we all can connect, whether it be within ourselves or with everything else. No matter if we agree with one another or not, art speaks volumes to all! Great work!
CW: SA (not explicit) I'm really ok with stylized assaults as long as they are not purely aesthetic. There's meaning in the SA scene here. I connect to it as a survivor bc of the distortions in time + sensory perception I experienced, while other aspects of reality were pushed back, blurred, removed. The scene captures that. The shock is in that scene too, & the simultaneous in-body/not-in-body surrealism.
My wife sent me this video and I had never seen the movie until now, so here I am. Great movie, but I definitely won't be watching it again. It makes me sad to know that so many families out there are raising their children in a manner that almost dooms them to repeat these cycles of violence, giving them very little chance for escape. I know so mamy men and boys that would see this movie as erotic because they've been so hypersexualized that nearly any hint of naked skin turns them on. It was literally a lesson we were taught early, that boys are dirty sexual creatures and that the girls must remain pure. Boys were encouraged to "steal as much virture" as they could while the girls were taught to remain on guard. I remember how it crept in to our children's games and made us feel awkward for playing with each other, until the day came were we no longer did. And then they wonder why they became strangers to one another, and in some people's eyes, enemies. Sorry for the rant. It was a very emotional movie portraying a silent history that should not have been hushed away.
Thanks for sharing your perspective, you put it so well. I've tried time and time again to explain how little boys aren't inherently sexual demons and that their normal hormones are being exploited by adults who want to project their libidos on kids. Little boys get told by their friends, by adults, by society that they are meant to be horny and that they are meant to be rough and meant to be harassing girls for sex, and so they do. And then when they get preyed on by adult women, it's "okay" because the boy "enjoyed it", because "boys have tons of hormones". Like shut up.
@@caseywilde7931 They meant as in when kids were playing with each other. For example, when you're young and don't know what gender roles are, you may not think anything of playing with a bunch of boys as a girl. But if your mom warns you about boys, you're way less comfortable playing with them even if they're your friends. Or, if you're a boy and you try to act as a husband if you're playing house, you may get called girly if you try to pretend-play doing chores like cooking and cleaning. Normal games become tainted as boys start fearing being called feminine and girls start fearing being hurt by boys. And if boys get told that girls are supposed to act a certain way, or girls get told that boys act a certain way, they may be cruel towards their friend because that's the behavior their parents punish them for.
@ettaetta439 Thank you for the well worded insight 😁 @caseywilde7931 I don't want to repeat what was already previously given to you, but it was such a good response! Anyway, I meant that societal norms crept in to the games by way of, most commonly, the previous generations. Almost like punishing someone for a crime they have yet to commit, genders are separated for what many elders fear is to come, which more often than not seems to breed the very crimes they fear. Rather than providing understanding and clarity between genders, they create distance, fear, misinformation, animosity, and competition. I understand this world will never be free of misfortune, but in our attempts to strike it out completely do we often breed it beyond control in the darkest places of our souls. I'll give an example that, as an eight year old, really confused me and never was explained to me. I don't know if you're familiar with professional wrestling, but there was a wrestler who used to taunt the crowd and opponents with an X motion of his arms down to his crotch, and he and the crowd would scream "Suck it." Very extra, of course, and I'm sure there's a lot to unpack there in both sociological and psychological terms, but as kids, we didn't really understand it and just did it for fun, both boys and girls alike. We had just finished playing wrestling at school, which honestly didn't have much actual wrestling, just a lot of drama talk. My friend got picked up by her Mother, who watched wrestling with her daughter, and as a goodbye I did the X move, said the catch phrase, and she returned it. Horrible idea for both of us. I got suspended and coached for sexual harassment, and warned that I was on my way to become a rapist. She couldn't play with us anymore, me mostly, but I was a boy and very popular at school so they took my side, even though there should have been no sides. Her and I just wanted to play together but she got left alone. Well, my mother said nothing to me about it other than not to do it again. My step father abused me for it. I just really didn't know what to think of the situation. I'm sure you can imagine all the things kids might have to say around this.
@@WhenIsItUs Yep. It's horrific, the way kids are raised in regards to gender norms. To me, these are excuses predators make ("I can't control my urges, I'm a man"), and then it is also applied to young boys who just want to play with Legos and have trouble mustering up the confidence to talk to the cute girl they like. They want to feel like their urges to hurt women are valid and normal, so they teach it to their kids. These boys then feel isolated and like possible predators at every turn (and are treated as such by society), but they are unable to express their deep insecurities because the culture of manhood is to repress everything. Only anger is a valid emotion, and every other emotion is for women. Pair that with men like Andrew Tate and other such manipulative people online who feed these insecurities, and you have a horrible concoction. Pair that with the rate of boys who are SA'ed by adult women, but don't even realize it's SA because their perceptions were adultified so heavily that they think it's "game". This can easily lead to resentment for women due to the gender of their assaulter, and they don't even acknowledge it as a trauma based response because they think they consented. Along with abusive or coddling mothers and women in boy's lives, that will naturally affect how they see women and treat women. It's a multifaceted issue. So young boys get conditioned into becoming violent or angry or depressed, while young girls then are forced to avoid these boys and men for their own safety. This is not to diminish the fact that girls also become violent and angry, this is to say that the general society represses women's anger and labels it as crazy while for men, it is an expression of power. It's an unfortunate cycle that only leads to more pain.
It is interesting that both Lady Snowblood & Belladona of sadness came out in the same year 1973 where both somehow cement the idea that the suffering, violence & SA of women serves as her phoenix moment, a trope that has been heavily used until recently but is dying for good. Although this film isn't overtly feminist it does presents themes of rejection of patriarchy. It is a imperfect yet stunning film. Loved your essay.💜
It is intentionally done by men to try and excuse what they do and did and say, well if I didn't, you wouldn't of become a phoenix. The truth is she's gone forever and there is nothing you can do to repair her or her wound. Evil won a long time ago and men just make these films over. I know you think it's a woman making the film, but it's not, it's a man. Just like Catilyn.
I think the that makes me reluctant about this film is the way that Jeanne receives her powers through being repeatedly *raped* by the Devil. I feel like it kind of undercuts and contradicts the anti-sexual assault themes for the source of Jeanne's power and healing after sexual assault to originate from... yet another sexual assault. It would be different if she were just making a generic deal or having sex more willingly, but as it is, it comes across like one rape is somehow being expected to fix another rape. The only way it really makes sense to me is to view the film through the lens of the book it was based on, wherein Jules Michelet argued that women are forced into Satanism and witchcraft due to their mistreatment by society leaving them no other recourse, essentially arguing that the Devil is abusing desperate women the same way a pimp might. But he was arguing from a Christian background that saw the Devil as an actual, literal being, whereas this is an art film that is presumably working from a more metaphorical angle.
I always saw it as a metaphor for her retraumatising herself in order to "make it up" to Jean because of the guilt she felt about being abused in the first place, which is something that rings true for a lot of survivors, especially those who end up becoming hypersexual as a self-harming method. I wouldn't consider the film uplifting or empowering, to me the story itself felt like a true tragedy. It felt as if no matter how badly Jeanne tried to make something powerful (or just plain move on) out of the horrible experience, she was still being constantly punished by the world, including herself, for being "sinful" even though she had no part in the abuse inflicted upon her, she was made to feel as if her body was just a thing for the world to take, and in the end they just tore her apart for daring to keep existing.
I dont see the devil as the literal figure. I think what the imp is, is jeanne masturbating, actually, and later throwing herself at sexual encounters in an attept to reclaim that part of herself
Just finished watching the film and I can say I loved it. I saw these scenes pretty differently. If you notice initially she is always willing to have sex with the devil, only to change her mind midway through. I interpreted it as her repressing her sexuality (represented by the devil, obviously) as she still sees it as a sin. Only later, when she completely abandons society she accepts the devil and becomes a witch by, as shown, having sex with him. Honestly I didn't see these scenes as rape scenes, but I guess this movie is by its nature open to multiple interpretations.
It's a metaphor for her pain of losing her soul. She never wanted to be a witch or live the life she ended up living. The SA represents her giving up her original dreams and aspirations and the pain that comes with that
I would guess that if this film was inspired by Satanism, especially if it's the LaVeyan brand, then it's a fair interpretation to take "the devil" as being a metaphor for self liberation; it's her ego (not the bad "ego" like a narscissist, but "the ego" as in "sense of self"). More to the point, Lavey's Satanism puts emphasis on consent being necessary. Perhaps the SA scene with the devil isn't SA (presently occurring), but is the main characters internal confrontation with her past experiences, as it's imperitive to face our traumas to move toward self empowerment (another concept present in Laveys belief system- usually referred to as "magic", but really means psychology).
I just watched the movie and my first thought was literally abt how sacrilegious it was lol. It definitely read very satanist. And the part abt her encounters with the devil being encounters with herself! I agree, I interpreted it almost like she was having a flashback of sorts
I don't understand why the narrator called Jean a kind man. First, he chokes her unconscious, then, he rejects her after getting her hand chopped, and then blocks the door before she gets assaulted. He literally waited until the end of the movie to do something useful, and even then he's a complete failure ase he ends up a pincushion. While I respect him for his noble sacrifice at the end, I feel like he was too late at the start. He should've at least supported her and tried to get rid of her trauma.
Different people have different interpretations. I should’ve included, when he choked her, I interpreted that as he couldn’t get over the fact she’d been assaulted. Some people may read that instead as him seeing her pain and doing her a favour. My guess is Jean was just a bit of a coward until the end. Some people may read it differently.
I thought that was a realistic portrayal of how multi-dimensional people can be. Like how you can be great friends with someone then they turn on you, or someone could be against you in the beginning and even take part in bullying you, but in the end they somewhat change and act better towards you for whatever reason. I’ve seen stuff like this irl, so the behavior portrayed didn’t seem off to me.
@@tiahnarodriguez3809 In the Yugoslavian Wars the muslim fathers usually killed their daugthers after they were defiled by their enemys. There are many storys of girls/woman running over hills getting chased with knifes and killed.
just a thought, but in the context of The Devil being an expression of Jeanne's traumatized psyche, her exchange of sexual pleasure (the handjob) for The Devil's Power could be interpreted as an act of empowering oneself through self-pleasure (masturbation), an act that was seen (and still is in many religious traditions) as sinful and profane, and therefore a tool of The Devil (not saying that masturbation is evil or hurts anyone, but that's how taking one's pleasure into one's own hands was seen by the devout, as an affront to God's authority)
This is a really good interpretation! Don't have much more to say than that, but it really got me thinking! And it would definitely fit in the time period it's set in
As a survivor, I find much more denigrating or triggering the graphic, realistic and "in your face" scenes of SA, I think this animation portraits the trauma of the attack without the morbid insensitivity of showing off the victims torture, also if anyone feels any kind of arousal from any kind of SA or SV that speaks more about that person's twisted mind than the scene in question 🙄
Something interesting I think you should know that you can learn in any basic psychology 101 class is that a victim can still be physically aroused by what’s going on, while psychologically being horrified by it. It’s part of the reason rape IS TRAUMATIC. Just an fyi. You may want to look that up and do your research before telling a victim it’s “about the twisted mind they have.” Of course it is. They already know that.
Makes it harder for victims to come out if they know they’ll BE SHAMED for something reasonably natural. In a setting where the sex was consensual, the body is doing the right thing and reacting the way it should. It’s a healthy body and should never EVER be shunned for that. Again, FYI. Part of the trauma is helping the mind understand the body ISNT AT FAULT.
I had to face that grim reality. Not every SA is the same. Dont say I enjoyed it, because enjoying it with family is something you and I can agree to disagree on. I was hurt very badly. My body however was doing the natural thing it should to prevent injury. As in, getting moist, tingling. Yes these things are uncomfortable to talk about BUT THEY HAPPEN. So let’s not shit on the people who can’t control what the body does. ~From someone who went to counseling, and the counselor presented me with that beautiful piece of information. [The body is allowed to enjoy sex. When being assaulted you have a disconnect between the mind and body. Your mind knows you said no, and aren’t enjoying the process, but the body CANT FIGHT BACK. It physically shuts down to protect you, and does what it’s supposed to do.]
I say allowed to enjoy sex because you start almost feeling guilty for enjoying it with anyone you truly love, when you know one time it happened it wasn’t supposed to. Now you’re stuck in the mindset I’m not allowed to enjoy it or people will believe my assault didn’t happen. That for the rest of my life, I’m not ALLOWED to heal from it.
@@JM.piwz1 I think you misunderstood them. When they said if anyone feels any kind of arousal from it, they meant viewers watching the scenes, not victims themselves. I completely agree with you though on everything else, SA is very complex for victims (I am a victim myself) and so many people try to shoehorn survivors into a box of how they should behave during and afterwards and it causes a lot of further unnecessary stress and trauma and makes healing more difficult. I hope you're doing better now and can continue to heal
I’m curious what other animation you like? Obviously Perfect Blue, Tokyo Godfathers and Paprika are considered relatively mainstream. Some of these are probably not considered obscure but I enjoyed Angel’s Egg, Memories, Millennium Actress, Night on the Galactic Railroad and The Triplets of Belleville. As for anime, I think Lain, Evangelion, Mononoke, Made in Abyss, To Your Eternity and Shinsekai Yori (are not the same, but) in a similar vein.
I looked on Amazon but I can't find a DVD of it. I would gladly buy this! what an amazing portrayal. even just this video on it was incredibly moving and emotional. the art is mind blowing
@amberevol it was on Tubi, not sure if it still is. I found a copy on Amazon a year or two ago when I discovered it. I love the way it's drawn and I was attracted by the way they used watercolors, I haven't seen anything like it before.
I always believed that the new and more modern animation is better than the old one, because of its evolution. I changed my mind. This is on another level not just visually, but it also depicts a lot of intelligence from the authors to make it so abstract yet so understandable, and give it so much meaning.
Thank you for bringing this film to my attention it has deeply touched something in me that has never been seen before. I’ve never felt so much more described in regards of emotional anguish and self reflection of grieving after SA. 10/10
Hi, I’m not sure if I read your comment correctly about being SA’d, but I’m really sorry if that happened to you. I always don’t know what to really say when people bring up their SA experiences, as I feel like words can never be enough. But I really hope you can heal or have healed and found peace and solace. Also, wish you the happiest and best in life; it is never your fault and no one deserves to have those experiences in life. ❤️❤️❤️
This movie always triggered me as it was so parralel to my rape/sexual abuse and mental degradation leading to psychosis u_u I’ve healed from it in time but man this movie will always haunt me if put on near me 😢 sad cuz it’s very pretty animation
@@practicalgamer4991 I'd suggest you stop making your own judgements about people's statements. Before fully understanding the dynamics that come into play. Indeed women have hard life. But so does a man, a husband, a wife, a father , a mother, a soldier, a homeless person , a rich person, a happy person, a sad person, a farmer, a carpenter, an engineer, an farmer. Every single person faces some sort of adversity in life. Some more than others. Some none at all. The answer is simple for all. Embrace the pain. Accept the reality, Bring closure to pain and move forward and change what causes you pain. Be better than what holds you back. Change the idiotic and hypocritical reality that ties you down. And be the victor of your circumstance. Win and reclaim your dignity. That has been, and will always be with you and YOU ALONE. NONE CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU. NOBODY. Sigh all in all. What I am saying is that well forge your own path child . The world is yours to make.
Personally, I think it's a very feminist film. It's a realistic portrayal and critique of how women are treated in society, which just like in real life, doesn't lead to a happy ending for most women. That's especially true of Japan, and DOUBLY so during the 1970s when this was made. That, to me, makes it a feminist film in the purest sense. Jeanne is a construct, a symbol through which the audience can see all of the most common ways women are disregarded and even treated with disdain and apathy by greater society. Jeanne has done nothing wrong, yet gets treated horrifically simply for being a woman. First her beauty and her virginity are exploited and become a source of great pain for her, as older men only see those two traits as the only value a woman has. We then see Jeanne overcome her trauma and gain power and influence through her own skill and talent alone. But even though the townspeople are happy to benefit from her hard work, they immediately turn on her the instant a man exposes her body, reminding them that she is a woman, and therefore should not be qualified to fulfill the roles that up until that moment, Jeanne not only succeeded at, but thrived in. It's the same tired double standard women have dealt with for centuries, and still deal with now in countless professions that have arbitrarily been categorized as "men's work". Finally, when everything has been taken from her and she abandons her previous life to become a witch living harmoniously in nature far removed from the organized society who shunned her, she again achieves power and influence,. Only this time, instead of her talent being incidental and irrelevant to her gender, now her power stems directly from it. Even her choice to embrace the devil is not a fault for her, as the church had done nothing but treat her horribly and try to make women fear their own bodies, rather than celebrate them. Once Jeanne embraces her womanliness, she flourishes. She even forgives all of the people who have betrayed her, for she is ultimately kind, and wants to show the repressed church that her way of life eases suffering, whereas the church only seems to cause it. But she is betrayed again by men in power and especially the clergy, mirroring the real life fate of respected and revered medicine women suddenly being stamped out by the church and labeled as heathen. Even the ending is not necessarily bleak. The first time she is betrayed, the rest of society turns against her, too. But the second time, the townsfolk rise up in defiance of the church to defend her. It's only the might of the deacon and his superior weaponry that ultimately cows the townsfolk into silence. I think this shows that society is slowly beginning to change their attitudes towards women, but feel pressured by current societal norms to keep any progressive opinions to themselves and continue upholding the status quo. Change is still far off, but at least the seed of hope is there that one day that change will come.
I found it to be very thematically dense. There are so many valid ways of reading the film. It is also some master class wtfery. I kept wanting Jeanne to get a win, but the ultimate tragedy was that there were so many forces at work to pull her down. I really liked her character. Sh wasn’t some gung ho strong character, but a woman who showed her strength by continually picking herself back up again. She was naive, tragic, and soft, but also resilient and forgiving, helping the villagers who’d shunned her, ultimately winning them over and making their lives better, even though they were ultimately helpless to save her from her fate. It’s more complex than the usual female empowerment story that glorifies the rebellion, showing how her efforts often backfired on her. It’s strange, but I’ve found some of the most beautiful, complex, and thought provoking pieces are among the exploitation genre. Perhaps because exploitation is already delving into the taboo, it has more leeway to actually explore ideas often glossed over by the mainstream which feels the need to justify itself. Belladonna of Sadness never seemed to feel the need to justify itself to the audience for the majority of the film. Often films these days feel the need to hold your hands through the concepts they work with. This film takes you along and lets you figure out what you’ll take from it. And it is very sexy. A very confusing sort of sexy that makes you wonder if maybe there is something wrong with you for getting turned on.
Also, I literally rented the movie right before watching your video just so I would know what you were talking about. Add it to the list of films I highly praise but cannot recommend to my family and friends because I have such a higher tolerance for exploitation and weirdness in film than most. “Oh it’s gorgeous and though provoking. Don’t watch it, you’ll hate it” Because I’m a masochist when it comes to movies or something.
I dont see how exploitation is taboo. Exploitation particulary of women is the bread and butter of capitalism and patriarcy of most of our societies ever since fathers were the first pimps selling their daughters off for resources. All depictions of women being exploited wether sublty, obvious in comedy or horror or action and romance are all just the same old same old cultural propaganda. Women being exploited is sexualised and demanded it is the standard that women sacrifice their bodies, minds and souls for society and particulary for men. Women are seen as objects and objects are meant to be used. So I dont see how it is really a taboo. the fighting back/revenge trope for women is relatively new whilst I dont feel it is always realistic there were definelty times in the past and present were women did and do take revenge or liberate themselves from exploitation it is however less documented and promoted or shown, even in old paintings you will see them often re-portray women as sad, passive or docile when defending themselves for example the painting "the beheading of Holofernes by Judith" was repainted to a more docile and soft version becaue women committing violence particulary towards men who have or want to harm them is the actual taboo. Women trying to appease society and men after being exploited and then continuint to be exploited is the default and the expectation of women and girls, alot of womens trauma response is even to be pleasend and accommodating because we are taught if we are sweet and nice they wont hurt us or hurt us more or worse when we are so mentally ruined from being groomed that we care more if we are liked then of our own safety and life. Exploitation even amongst men is the standard. ie men being used as cannon fodder by other more powerful men, parents giving birth to children for the sake of exploiting them emotionally, physically or and financially.
I was obsessed with Belladonna of Sadness back in college & found it on TUBI. I liked the art style & kinda ignored the story. Anyway, Jeanne is violated by men but finds power by submitting to a phallic object(the Devil). She ultimately ends up dying but she was always damned before her deal with the Devil. She's beautiful and helpless in a world that covets beauty and overpowers the weak
6:22 this point! I feel like this is what distinguishes earnest portrayals of human trauma vs portrayals that feel like fetish content pandering to creepy straight men, veiled under the guise of artistic integrity
thank you so much. i needed a little explanation!! i was so confused by the reoccurring devil like i literally couldn’t tell if it was representing guilt or shame and when she pleasured him was it masturbation?? just bc positive things would always come after that helped jeanne like the cloth and the medicine. those representing her embracing her womanhood again even though she feels shameful. but whenever he visited i was scared!! it reminded me of when i first addressed what happened to me like it’s scary to think about and hard but addressing it is overall for the better. when the devil says “i am you” and “im as big as you want me to be” i feel like that’s saying this is your trauma and unless u deal with me you will always be in this state. then as she fully embraces the devil she becomes a witch and saves the village?? like idk that seems like a positive to me. she is coming into her power as a woman and healer and that is threatening to the baron
Was not expecting a video essay on Belladonna of Sadness in late 2023, but absolutely not complaining! This was a great video, and I’m glad you got the big views here!
Good video, I think whatever you did in the "the tragedy" segment with the audio is probably the best to go with. considering the regular bumps in the audio, I guess you're having a mic stand. you might wanna put something soft-ish underneath to soften the blow. Also turning down the gain and turning up the volume in post might help with the overmodulation or maybe use OBS to record to keep your mic levels in check while recording. could you please also link the music you used? I really like your music choice and that you kept in mind not to make it too loud. I would love to listen to it on my own time. you have potential :3
Hi, FeldiArts. Thanks for the tips. I can’t remember which music I had chosen, since I have a subscription with a site that allows you to use the music for commercial use. I made it within a few after work, so I didn’t have time to note down the music - sorry! 😆✨
I feel Malena did what many want to feel Belladonna did but much better..also related to media such as Tomie and Helter Skelter. Clark Eileson's Video Essay 'The Horror of Having a Body' is another great one to watch if anyone is interested in this subject matter.
i watched this film recently and it did give off malena vibes imo or malena gave off this film's vibes. i think they're both well done in their own ways tho despite the flaws
i feel like viewing this movie only in terms of whether or not it is feminist is just reductive. the movie is about jeanne and the horrible things she goes through due to the patriarchy. i don't think it needs to be empowering, because it's fundamentally a film about how she can't maintain power due to being a woman. like that's the point. movies can be about bad things happening to people for no reason. the important part for me is that it is just about jeanne's experience, it's her perspective and focused on her emotional reality, and her life just really sucks for the most part. also as for people who dislike all the sex and nudity, it's quite literally a movie about sex, it's an x rated film. and it's not necessarily arousing, it's just about sex. it kind of makes me mad that we are assuming we are going to sexualize her in most of these moments or find them erotic. i won't let men being gross take away from what this movie is really about, which is jeanne's story.
Thanks a lot, Sofia! 💖 I believe Tezuka left half way through production to focus on his other production company, ‘Tezuka productions’. It’s definitely worth a watch. I hope you enjoy the film! 👍🏻
This story reminds me of my Abuela's story and a movie I saw. My Abuela was a stunning beauty who looked like a Mexican Ava Gardner and was both adored yet hated by both men and women. When she aged and got ill, people acted like it was a crime. It was perplexing to me bc she always had been good. She hadn't changed as a person so I couldn't understand why she was treated so differently. In the movie, there is a similarly stunning young woman in a small Italian town who is forced into prostitution after her husband is believed to have died in WW2. Local women refuse to hire her as a seamstress (it was a mostly female profession) bc their husbands lust after her and they are insecure. She is treated like a Jezebel purely on her beauty and it's from the view of a young boy with a crush. Her husband eventually comes back and they leave along with her ailing father to never return. Both stories are some of the many reasons why I believe there is a difference between a beautiful soul and a beautiful person. It's certainly possible to have both, but they are different things. People lust after beautiful people, but they see them as things without feeling or demonize them based on their own insecurities.
If you dont feel super hot please know that this isn't a competition for one thing. No one is saying that other people don't get aped and have bad things happen. Actually one in 3 women in America will end up aped. One in 5 men will. One in 3 kids end up getting moles ted. We can discuss these things without being defensive. We can talk about our experiences without bettling someone else's. If pretty people privilege is a thing does that mean they deserve to be attacked and have bad stuff happen to them? It's not a thing btw. People think that because they get jobs in Hollywood and seem so happy on Instagram. But keep in mind that nothing comes without a cost. That's why Hollywood people take their own lives sometimes. Anyways, this was a great TH-cam video. I didn't know about this. The art is really beautiful. Cheers
please PLEASE refrain from putting your first content warning with flashing images , i know you probably meant it artistically but if you care about accesibility you shouldnt do a thing like that on the very first seconds of your video.
Oh sorry, I understand what you mean now! Yes it was an artistic choice (and YT’s copyright stuff). I pinned a comment, if you need captions they are available in the settings! 💖✨😆 I’ll be more mindful next time!
Never was I bullied more than when I was “ugly” in jr.hi in an idaho hicktown full of haters in a woman hating cult. (Which is basically what the patriarchy we all live in is, so it’s not just idaho) which led at age 13 to my 1st suicide attempt. 10 years later I was paid to be a beautiful NYC runway model. Only to discover Beauty comes at a cost too. (For instance) I was 129 lbs and 5’9” and the stylists wanted me to be 119 and tried to get everyone a coke habit. Which didn’t work on me because I already had a career in publishing as a cartoonist and didn’t need modeling to pay my bills. Then when I was 40 I needed to leave the big city so I could attempt to buy a home (it took 10 years). During this time at every turn i got messed with in the new little hick town by haters, because I was now old and ugly and they are sexist or because I was beautiful and they were jealous or whatever reason. Any ways, haters are gonna hate no matter what you do. If you go through this world evoking extreme love and hate reactions in people you gotta be doing the right thing. Its a sign you inspire people. I got 99 problems but being boring is not one. As an artist my only goal is to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed. Though even at age 50 with all my life experience accomplishments and wisdom I sometimes wish that 1st attempt had worked and spared me all these years of pain. But whatever, life is suffering, and if you accept that, the moments of fleeting happiness are sweeter. And every morning just try to give thanks that even though I need glasses, I can see, and pay my bills and that there is love in my life. I try to derive joy from strategizing and flexing continually and bigger and better to the haters with the hopes that one day they will stop. And my life legacy will be to make the lives of other magical beings easier in this world.
I'm really glad to see someone talk about this movie. Belladonna of Sadness is one of my biggest artistic and storytelling inspirations despite its flaws
Yes, I think it’s art is probably one of its biggest merits. Regardless of whether people like it’s subject material or whether they think it’s feminist/exploitative/neither, I think they should give it a watch (unless it offends).
Ever since I gained weight (due to some health issues) I am no longer considered "beautiful". 0 catcalling, 0 pushy strangers, 0 annoyance. I guess being beautiful really can be an invitation to abuse.
I’m ugly. I got raped. So no, being abused is not something that only pretty women suffer from. The people that think that only pretty women are abused are disgusting. In fact, predators are more likely to target people that are powerless/more likely to not be believed, like ugly women.
It just happens to be what this is about. But we all know a lot of people get abused. Men, women, trans people etc etc. But thank you for not belittling the experience of so called pretty people or whatever. It's not a competition and some people see it as such. ❤ Also I like all sorts of things. I think Anthony Hopkins is hot even as an old man. So beauty isn't always the same thing for everyone. I know one thing is for sure.... Your heart is beautiful
I love the analysis in your video! It's a pretty good essay, and I appreciate the time you took to do this. 💖 Like what some people have said though, the images and videos flashed a bit too much. I do have tips for the type of artistic representation you have here though! 1) when showing important figures, like when you were describing the evil queen, you can instead use about 1, 2, or 3 videos that, each kind of slowed and mirrored so it doesn't have to switch far too often between those shots. 2) in relation to 1) ^^^, there's no shame in using still images between shots! In fact, you can also use still images that are drifting slowly left to right, to give a sense of movement while bringing your point across. 3) in terms of using important shots, it's awesome that you were able to use so much content from the movie itself. Again, however, you can always re-prioritize different shots into different portions of your video instead of reusing a few shots several times within one scene. Hope that makes sense! 😅 😊 I really do think you did a good job! Especially with the censorship, it was well done enough that I honestly kind of thought it was part of the movie. It wasn't that distracting! :> And it's awesome you're listening to your commentors as well -- and you're quite polite too. 😊 Good luck with your future videos!! ❤❤❤
personally, i don't think this film was intended to be anything more than your typical sexploitation film of the time. the feminist elements are kind of aimless and muddy if you take it at face value, especially with the pretty gratuitous (though artsy) depictions of SA. however! intent and impact/interpretation are different things! i think it's gorgeous as an art piece and very easily reclaimed by women and feminism as a cathartic tragedy. i accidental stumbled upon it as a kid, and ofc was highly disturbed, but it resonated with me deeply when i revisited it as an adult. i LOVE the interpretation of the devil as an amalgamation of Jeanne's estranged inner "demons", aka everything deemed undesirable by men and society at large.
Man... I never knew about this movie. Even with audio issues i truly enjoyed your essay. I hope you get enough views and subs so you can get a new mic because i would totally enjoy listening to more of your stuff. Amazing job. Insta sub.
Thanks Moonieglow, this is a new mic, but it’s just really sensitive and picks up sound from particular spots so I’ll be changing back to my old mic even though it’s not overall as good. 💖☺️
Had this in my "watch later" for a while and I'm so glad I finally got around to watching it. It's such a beautiful film with a very moving message but I can't watch it myself due to how sensitive I can be to strong depictions of SA, but your lovely analysis helped me get through it and I was finally able to experience the film, even if it may not have been in full or how it was intended to be experienced.
Thank you for the comment, Gremloid. I’m happy you gleaned some value from my video, despite not being able to watch Belladonna! Hope you have a lovely day. 😌🌸
This film wasn't about empowerment through suffering. it was about human's seeing other human's AS humans and not stairs. Cruelty begets cruelty. Love brings loves.
@@yilyau Man, I've been noticed him! It's the other analysis videos of this film that don't seem to notice. Hey wait. Whaddya mean "caws silently"? He didn't even make a sound. All he did was some weird bird dance.
I can understand the editing if its part of the movie, but you need to put a flashing images warning on this or the next video. It was physically straining to watch. Great video regardless!
@@yilyau they both deserved better, it's so well done and written, i like both movies opposing perspectives but ability to tell the same story. malena from the town's perspectives and jeanne from her own
Stumbled upon this when I was gonna listen to Masahiko Sato's iconic soundtrack. I'm surprised this movie hasn't gained a larger following and really enjoyed this essay! Look forward to more from this channel
@@yilyau But if you want to rest a while, it's okay, do whatever you want to do as long as it's make you feel comfortable. I didn't mean to force you or anything, i just wanted you to know that all of your videos are very beautiful, i love everything in your videos. Your voice, the content in the video, everything. 💗💗💗💗💗🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I feel like this film immediately fails at being completely feminist by the fact that it was directed by a man. However, the interpretations that you provided to support it being feminist were very well versed and insightful. I agree with all of them. I feel like this film as a whole is just very up to the viewer to interpret, many elements go both ways. Other than that, excellent video, this movie will always be one of my favorites.
To me, it was one of the most unsettling movies I've ever seen, by the end I had really checked out. The fact that the scenes where abuse is happening are shown as "beautiful" "artistic" and at the same time heavily sexualized speak to me as made from the "male gaze". I even hate to use this language, but I really have no other words. Although it does depict distress I do think it was mixed with arousing imagery and she is undeniably drawn beautifully, while it is obvious the artist can draw "ugliness" or even neutrality from the other characters whenever her or her body are shown are drawn erotically, all the frames in the movie are carefully chosen and arranged, many shots at times are only intended to show her body. It was a choice to show her in that light while horrible things keep happening to her. That did felt fetishistic to me. The "perpetrator" visuals where at times, cartoony and even felt like mockery. Just a whimsical cartoon character who is not even human. I am aware it is supposed to be an artistic "interpretation" of what is happening, but in a way, that felt even more evil. Perhaps that's what they were trying to convey? Or making light of a situation. Who really knows except the creators of the film. I love animation, I think the cognitive dissonance of something with a visually pleasing style showing something horrible happening deeply unsettled me. I don't think it was thought from her point of view, really. I suppose it could be seen as someone that keeps trying, but that seems a bit weak compared to the tragedies that keep happening to her. It felt like seeing an abuse from a voyeuristic point of view, from the one doing it. Still not sure what unsettled me the most, but I think the fact that many might see it and only find it "beautiful", "tragic", "sexy". Made me think of Lolita by Nabokov and how it is being written by his point of view only, where whatever is happening is almost acceptable and seen by most as a literary marvel. If it is not glorifying grape, it definitely is tragedy, which also felt strange. Make the beautiful sexy woman suffer over and over again, don't let her find a way, show her body, show her suffering, she is beautiful when she cries. She can take it, let's keep going. In any case, the fact that it causes strong emotions is an effect of art. The real intention stays with the creators, the interpretation with the viewers.
Thank you for this deep essay, as an animator and a french woman myself it was very interesting ❤! Didnt know the movie ended with the French revolution imagery! I really need to see it, i know it stills is released in french indie cinema sometimes~ Amazing work on this essay!
For myself, this wouldn’t be a movie I’d recommend if someone was looking for a feminist movie but I also wouldn’t want to rob women of the catharsis they feel from it. I would expect particularly privileged women and just all men to be able to engage critically with the movie but I can see why women would be touched by it. Honestly, if the devil was a woman and Jean consented to having sex with her, it’d probably be a far more compelling feminist narrative. The devil being a man kind of just makes it feel like Jean still had to depend on the help of a man and she’s inherently disempowered because it’s a man receiving pleasure from a woman.
I think this is just you taking the character of the devil as something too literal. I always saw the devil as a metaphor of Jeanne's desires which were repressed by the church, the only way Jeanne manages to get power is by giving the devil consent to sleep with her, which makes me believe it simbolizes Jeanne surrendering to her own nature and desires, breaking free from society's chain to do as she pleases. The first time Jeanne sleeps with the devil she becomes ambitious and manages to get a wealthier life and status in society, things which were repressed by the church at that time since commoners weren't mean to raise in the hierarchy, which eventually led the church to take that away from her. The second time Jeanne sleeps with the devil is when her change become mostly permanent, at first she looks at herself with disgust as she surrendered once more to her desires by giving the devil consent (by this point, I could only visualize the devil as metaphor of masturbation and sexual urges in woman, things that were seen as morbid and impure as such things didn't line up with society's perception and image of what woman should be) but Jeanne eventually decides to live with nature, by accepting her desires (nature) she manages to become a powerful witch and while I can see why her end can be seen as unempowering by some people, I personally don't see it like that. Even if her ending was tragic she became a simbol for the townsfolk and her death eventually led to the people revelling against the church, which to me that is the main aspect of the movie "revellion".
@@germ2648 yeah I understand the devil exists or can exist metaphorically but it still feels unsavoury because even in that sense, it feels like she's giving up a part of herself when a female devil would reflect her inner self better and wouldn't titillate men who project themselves on the male characters. Especially since the movie sort of frames the devil as playing her, there's still a patriarchal power dynamic being displayed, at least visually.
@@sapphic.flower except there's none? Again, you're focusing in the most superficial aspect of this, why is it so important for the devil to be a woman instead of a man? It doesn't change the context, it doesn't really adds anything unless it's intended to but as far as I can tell, they can change the devil into a woman and nothing will change because the character of the devil serves a purpose in which gender has little to no importance, which is to lure Jeanne into submitting to her own nature. I just fail to see how the devil being a man seems to be such a big deal for you in another aspect that is not solely in a superficial way.
This was an extremely good video, im seeing some people make commentary on your mic/editing, but i honestly adored this video and didnt even think it was bad.
Is it just me? I can't help but think the Belladonna of Sadness and its setting and themes sounds like a novel written by a European author of old times set in hardbound leather and yellowing pages read under a tree surrounded by grass of wheat with whimsical, lyrical poetry that keeps the reader engaged but at the same time shocked, uncomfortable and forcing the reader to contemplate
My theory is that since the "devil" says he is "you", as in Jean, this could mean that this imp is her animus. Carl Jung theorised that women had a male self, which he called animus, and men had a female self, which he called anima. Jungian psychology is pretty much considered outdated junk psychology along with Sigmund Freud's theories, though regarding anima and animus, I think Jung was on to something regarding gender identity, but just not quite. Personally, I do enjoy the idea of anima and animus when it's applied to film. I noticed you have a few video essays that may relate to the TV show Skins, which introduced me to Jungian psychology in film as a teenager. After his accident, Tony encounters a mysterious woman who is just around for some reason and seemingly knows him well. This woman is actually just a version of Tony, a manifestation or personification of certain parts of his psychology, which he learns to embody again, perhaps in a healthier way than he used to. I've also seen that Jack from Titanic is also theorised to be Rose's animus. And there's a manga called Inside Mari, which starts off seeming like a body-swap horror story, but then, and this is a spoiler for the story, it is eventually revealed that the man inside Mari is just a part of Mari. In pretty much all of these cases, I would say this Jungian theory plays out positively, so if we apply that to Belladonna of Sadness and what this means regarding Jean's situation with the imp/devil/you, then I think we can reasonably assume that its a net positive even if her story has a tragic ending that was out of her control.
Wow I watched with this movie back in 2020 and had ZERO idea what it was about I just remember it being a artistic trip, this video really made me appreciate more
You say the guy who created this movie is sensitive about body parts, yet Jeanne is naked on screen through the rest of the film. Ironic since there aren't any cuss words in this movie. (Sideways whisper: With the exception of Bonehead's wife calling Jeanne that farmer b word.)
Initially when i watched the film i have very mixed feelings. At times i felt like jeanne did have agency but i think the flip flopping of the way morality is protrayed in the film really detracted from that. The devil at times could empower her, yet she had to endure feeling powerless to him. At times i felt the sexual assault was fetishistic because she was suffering but it looked still beatiful at times. I because of who made the film the message is so convoluted. To make this a tragedy but to also have beautiful sense of adultry felt reductive in some sense. I just disagree with depicting any beauty in sexual assault because to me there is no beauty to be seen in it. Its not say that evilness cannot be beautiful but to depict the rape of jeanne as beautiful undermines how terrible an experience rape truly is. At least thats how i feel when it comes to such things. I know every survivor has different experiences, i just think that maybe no such women or men were consulted in the making of this. Its arthouse so its up to interpretation. That being said its an impressive film regardless if its exploitative or feminist.
I low-key disagree about the beauty aspect because to the apist our suffering is seen as beautiful, but to us it’s horror. Learning this actually made it easier for me to understand that I was SA’d because the people who did it were sickos that were seeking to gain pleasure at the expensive of another person. For the longest time I truly believed that I deserved what happened to me. That it happened to me multiple times because there was something wrong with me and the people who SA’d me were justified in what they did to me, but after processing and realizing the reality of each situation, I know that’s not the case, and it truly wasn’t my fault. The only issue I have with SA being portrayed as beautiful is it doesn’t show the victim’s perspective. Something I’d like to see in media that chooses to portray SA as pretty is also show the unfiltered horror perspective from the victim’s pov. I’d also like to see more realistic depictions where people freeze up and how confusing and scary it is because I feel media either makes it too sexy, unrealistic, or scripted which gives people a false idea of what ape actually looks like and feels like.
i just discovered your channel by this video, i'm usuallybad at finding new youtubers to watch and listen to.. but i was immedietely hooked! your voice and way of speaking is so soothing! great job , please keep uploading
Thanks Leadeleuran! Sorry for any audio issues (I’m still figuring out this sensitive mic). I’m a bit busy w/ work and studying, but I’ll try to upload per your request! 💖☺️ Thanks again for the support!
I decided to watch it after watching the first 5 seconds of this video. I'm glad I stole time from work to watch it. Your censoring of the abstract graphic portions are VERY well done. This whole video honestly.
FINALLY I FOUND THIS VIDEO! I watched this video for a couple minutes and was enthralled by it but I accidentally deleted my history and for the life of me I couldn't find it anywhere, turns out I saved it in my video essay playlist I will now finish it
love the analysis!! ill be sure to watch the full movie soon, your video is really really great i hope you gain more traction and success on youtube !! ❤❤
I think Tezuka had something going on those years, Ayako (manga) had similar themes and was published on 1973 (I think). I wonder what was happening as they're the most different among his other works (maybe along with Dororo). In Ayako, this girl went through so much pain through her life, but got a somewhat bittersweet justice in the end by kind of dragging them to the hell she endured for twenty years. I brought this manga from the library without knowing anything about it, it just had a cute pink and purple cover. The story shocked me from the beginning, the only relief is that she could be free from her family and karma did get them all.
This film is beautiful and horrifying at the same time. It's insane. But fascinating. The ending is morose but almost bittersweet. It's truly art in that it conjures various emotions and is something you can talk about afterwards. I don't think I could watch it again.
i personally loathe everything the movie stands for even in its most charitable interpretations, and i still do...but your video essay made me realize its background, why it narrates its themes and tone, and the reason they're important. masterfully done
Thanks for the high praise, medearina! 💖☺️ I appreciate it! I respect most, if not all opinion on this film, and understand quite so why people wouldn’t necessarily take to this film or it’s themes (in certain interpretations). ✨
I felt compelled to check this out because of the beautiful abstract artstyle and arthouse look, don't be fooled it's very unpleasant with disturbing SA I loved the ending though, there is hope for the belladonna, I don't see it as a feminist work as much as it is a work about female suffering and how we can overcome it with empathy
So glad someones finally talking about this film. I remember finding it on Amazon Prime one late night and watching it out of curiosity. Its such a beautiful film
I find it ridiculously ironic that this sexual adult animated nightmare fuel came out the same year as the beautifully emotional and heartwarming Hanna Barbera family film Charlotte's Web.
![[UNCUT] “บอสณวัฒน์” ลากไส้!! ใครหนุนหลัง "แม่ตั๊ก ป๋าเบียร์" I คนดังนั่งเคลียร์ I 30 ก.ย. 67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QlD7mU2KKRk/mqdefault.jpg)
FLASH WARNING ⚠️ Sorry, it has been brought to my attention that I should’ve put one at the start.
Sources:
Sections of this video are direct quotations from the essay, Arcane Revenge by Sam Gurry. Gurry has reached out to me to help me rectify my mistake and helped highlight the sections in which I haven't appropriately attributed them. I had attributed them broadly in the description, but not the specific time. Thankfully, Sam has educated me and accepted my sincerest apologies and has even been graceful enough to offer encouragement, education and many kind words. I did get a little muddled as I was trying to structure everything. I know I've been uploading to TH-cam for about a year, but I'm frankly still quite ignorant to making these videos and didn't mean to do so out of malice. Again, sincerest apologies.
The link to the original article is here: medium.com/@samgurry/arcane-revenge-1fb4625cc1c8
Sam is a professor and teaches animation history and media criticism at a few universities. You can find Sam @slamgurry on Instagram or instagram.com/slamgurry/
Sam is also a filmmaker of 'Winners B*tch' and 'The Biggest Wad is Mine'. You can find more details at their IMDB: www.imdb.com/name/nm2568309/
You can also find out more about them here on their website: www.samgurry.com/about
03:42:26, 04:18:52, 04:42:21, 04:53:47 - 04:59:40, 05:17:09 - 05:22:50, 04:42:21, 06:59:45 - 07:05:33, 07:21:11, 08:34:32, 19:07:32 - 18:25:08, 21:56:40 - 22:02:14, 22:26:16 - 22:37:42, 22:08:49 - 22:08:49, 28:45:25 - 28:52:04, 32:14:43 - 32:46:57, 30:30:35 - 30:35:28, 39:11:54 - 39:50:47, 40:05:59 - 40:10:37
If you see any mistakes or crediting errors, I have added an email where you can reach out to me; I haven't been reading much of the comments since it's been affecting my anxiety.
Belladonna of Sadness by Cineliciouspics.
A Thousand and One Nights (1969)/Cleopatra (1970) by AntBit.
Belladonna of Sadness by Jonathan Clements.
The Misunderstanding and Necessity of ‘Belladonna of Sadness’ by Erin Brady.
Belladonna of Sadness: A Woman in Green by Hitch.
Eiichi Yamamoto’s Belladonna of Sadness by Payton McCarty-Simas.
Belladonna of Sadness by Alissa Wilkinson.
Exploitation or Empowerment: Sexual Violence in Belladonna of Sadness (1973) by Serena Ramsey.
Belladonna of Sadness by Natalie Ng.
The Full Potential of Anime: Belladonna of Sadness by netizengalreviews.
‘Belladonna of Sadness,’ a Bewitching Masterpiece by Glenn Kenny.
S*xual or s*xualisation will be pronounced as 'seggs'ulisation.
Sorry for the sound quality, I didn't have much time to put this together. I checked the audio once and it sounded fine at the time. Subtitles have been added.
Finally, I don't believe I said "I" thought this was feminist; I don't think I was even explicit with my own views - just that 'an interpretation' or 'other critics' view this as feminist. It is one of three interpretations and you do not have to agree with anything said in this video, even if I'm talking within absolutes. These were just interpretations proposed in the video. This video is not used to 'push an agenda' or '[my] ideology'.
pin this
The fact that even saying something is feminist gets you dogpiled by incels is sadly unsurprising.
@@WobblesandBean Don't know if they were an incel (comment is gone and I've had similar ones before on other videos, specifically saying 'your generation' (what generation?) and 'you don't see the truth', 'your ideology'), but I only included the interpretation because it was a common one.
I flip flopped back to argue why it may not be perceived feminist by others critics. I didn't even say I agreed with the feminist interpretation. Ironic that they say I'm pushing my ideology onto others when I feel as though they're fixing an ideology and label onto me. I don't think I revealed my ideology. (We don't do that here.)
Even if I'm looking at something from a feminist lens, it's only because it's either a (common) interpretation other people have or it will be explicitly stated as a film maker's intent (if I analyse other films).
You did a fantastic job with this. I subscribed can't wait to see other movies you retell. Also I saw the edited version which was shorter. You showed some scenes that weren't in the version I saw. Thank you will have to see the real long version now.
i fucking hate youtube's rampant censorship.
This website sucks.
As a sexual abuse survivor, I find this a beautifully designed story that talks about not only the guilt that comes from being a victim of rape, and the symbolism of "the devil" can be very much the confronting of guilt, the suppression of your sexuality as you fear you might lose credibility of being a survivor if you appear too sexual or continue to enjoy sex then people begin to doubt your experience. There is so much said without words, it's the journey of healing, only to become a victim again, and then you find yourself and your own agency. Sadly the time period treated the enlightened woman as they did the midwives during the height of the witch trials, they killed her. But in doing so made her a martyr.
It really tore into me because it’s such a hidden feeling so specific I feel like others don’t understand
the part where "if you do enjoy sexual things instead of being frighten by them like a "real victim" would you start to doubt your credibility of being a survivor, and doubt your experience" part was so true, thats exactly how I feel, I'm just continuing my life like it "never happened"
I want a belladonna of anger
Literally
this is me fr
Im working on it.
I'm currently writing something similar called belladonna of revenge. Here's a little synopsis.
Lena DuPont is a young French-American descendant woman with a face deformity due to an accident several years ago. She lives alone on the countryside having inherited a large house with several items from her grandmother she copes all of her problems and fears with alcohol everyday. One day she went to sleep early on her new lonely house just to wake up on a forrest alone. As she try to adapt and know what has happen her eyes meet a beautifull woman and some marvelous and disturbing events. After a brief time Lena reach a breaking point as she watches her worst fear is about to became a reality. She is now forced to keep on beeing just an onlooker or face reality and became an active participant.
Honestly same.
as somebody who is a survivor of sexual abuse, I believe the rape scene was handled incredibly well. it so perfectly encapsulates that desperate hopeless harrowing feeling of being assaulted while also refraining from showing any explicit or objectifying imagery. we don't actually see the rape happen: we just see what Jeanne is feeling. we're watching her emotional journey through this process, not the actual rape itself. it steers in a completely different direction than how most sexual assault scenes are portrayed in media. it made me feel seen, not objectified unlike most other sexual assault scenes in media. it moved me very deeply.
💖💖 I see you, the rape scenes nowadays definitely do not depict the invasiveness well... It is a bittersweet feeling to know that survivors are seen yet silenced
THIS, nowadays its more or less another sex scene but "wow so bad right? look at her naked body!" and its horrible
The first SA scene I’ve watched since my own a****k where I did not have to turn away. Masterful
I haven't seen this film yet, but I guess that was what made a similar scene in irreversible seem so uncomfortable for me.
There's arguably more focus put on the choking, uncomfortable atmosphere and the fallout of it then the act itself, although irreversible's depiction is far more extreme and blunt than this (it's intended to cause discomfort to carry the feelings that the characters feeling, and it's literally an 8 minute one take that's mostly a still floor level shot, and is shot to deliberately be as uncomfortable as possible).
It's potentially more triggering but if you want another example of an accurate and empathetic depiction that is one.
I feel like being ugly is also an invitation to be abused
Could be. I was mainly talking in context to the film. ✨☺️
Simply being is already an invitation to abuse. The world is a meatgrinder. Either persevere, adapt & overcome, or...
It is not an invitation, people just invite themselves.
@@MajinSayon Lol, implying that simply being also makes you an abuser, since people also compose the "world". Crappy mentality
You can’t appease abusers, they’ll always find an excuse.
Like you said in the end, I really don't think that this is like the typical ''feminist empowering'' movie, I see it more as a tragedy
Hi, Blanche! 💖 Nice profile picture. I respect your opinion! And, to be honest, it’s quite a powerful message on its own even if it’s interpreted as not having any feminism; just a tragedy.
Yeah exactly 👍
Personally, I think it's a very feminist film. It's a realistic portrayal and critique of how women are treated in society, which just like in real life, doesn't lead to a happy ending for most women. That's especially true of Japan, and DOUBLY so during the 1970s when this was made.
That, to me, makes it a feminist film in the purest sense. Jeanne is a construct, a symbol through which the audience can see all of the most common ways women are disregarded and even treated with disdain and apathy by greater society. Jeanne has done nothing wrong, yet gets treated horrifically simply for being a woman.
First her beauty and her virginity are exploited and become a source of great pain for her, as older men only see those two traits as the only value a woman has.
We then see Jeanne overcome her trauma and gain power and influence through her own skill and talent alone. But even though the townspeople are happy to benefit from her hard work, they immediately turn on her the instant a man exposes her body, reminding them that she is a woman, and therefore should not be qualified to fulfill the roles that up until that moment, Jeanne not only succeeded at, but thrived in. It's the same tired double standard women have dealt with for centuries, and still deal with now in countless professions that have arbitrarily been categorized as "men's work".
Finally, when everything has been taken from her and she abandons her previous life to become a witch living harmoniously in nature far removed from the organized society who shunned her, she again achieves power and influence,. Only this time, instead of her talent being incidental and irrelevant to her gender, now her power stems directly from it. Even her choice to embrace the devil is not a fault for her, as the church had done nothing but treat her horribly and try to make women fear their own bodies, rather than celebrate them.
Once Jeanne embraces her womanliness, she flourishes. She even forgives all of the people who have betrayed her, for she is ultimately kind, and wants to show the repressed church that her way of life eases suffering, whereas the church only seems to cause it. But she is betrayed again by men in power and especially the clergy, mirroring the real life fate of respected and revered medicine women suddenly being stamped out by the church and labeled as heathen.
Even the ending is not necessarily bleak. The first time she is betrayed, the rest of society turns against her, too. But the second time, the townsfolk rise up in defiance of the church to defend her. It's only the might of the deacon and his superior weaponry that ultimately cows the townsfolk into silence. I think this shows that society is slowly beginning to change their attitudes towards women, but feel pressured by current societal norms to keep any progressive opinions to themselves and continue upholding the status quo.
Change is still far off, but at least the seed of hope is there that one day that change will come.
Next time watch a movie about the suffering of a black person and ignore the racism.
@@nanamiaunanamiau-dq3mi way to misinterpret this comment lmao
If you do read this as a feminist piece, or at least anti-patriarchy, I think her becoming more beautiful is her shocked that even though she no longer traditionally fits into the societal role as a woman, she still is desired. She believes she’s subverting the male gaze in becoming more powerful and confident, but she STILL is being viewed by her physicality as opposed to her power. As women, no matter what we do we will be objectified and seen as being there for the sexual pleasure and viewing of men, no matter our individual standing in society.
and the lesson is - don't live your life based on how men perceive you. If they objectify you, reclaim your subject-hood in some other way.
@@johnjungkook2721I’d say the lesson is also “shame on you for objectifying women, do better”
@@urgae9125i think the lessons are both what u said and the comment above
@@johnjungkook2721It’s really not that easy.
Reminded me of the movie Malena. When she became a prostitute, she was hated by everyone but men still desired her. Also a very sad film but that one was really made for men to look at Malena so it made me really angry throughout.
This film has the most unsettlingly accurate portrayal of grape at the very beginning. You don't see any actual penetration and it isn't even all that graphic, but the way they animate it is the single most realistic way I've seen it done as far as how it makes you feel.
I still can't watch that scene again. It's too real.
don't say "grape" it's fucking stupid. you're not on tiktok, mincing words helps no one.
It does a good job of making the viewer uncomfortable. That would be my main guideline for visual depictions of SA/r*pe: this is subjective as hell, but it should look like it was meant to make the viewer feel disgusted and intensely afraid the way the victim feels. It's kind of obvious if something is meant to titillate by sexualizing the depiction of an SA victim.
Why are you calling it "grape", do you think youtube won't let you say the word rape?
@@PermianExtinction Not everyone wants to flat out say that word..
@@dani.1170 If youtube doesn't censor it, I think it'd important to say the actual word. It's a serious topic, it might be uncomfortable but I think it's important.
I'm sensing that this may have inspired Tomie by Junji Ito, mostly the scene where the people's faces turn into hers
It could very well have. Belladonna has inspired a number of media. ✨💖
Besides probably inspiring that, it inspired Revolutionary Girl Utena.
I think it also inspired a scene in V for vendetta. Both in the comic & the 2005 movie.
This essay provided me with much needed cultural and historical context to understand the movie. Even with the audio problems, your video kept me engaged all the way through. Great job!
Thanks, Kismorr! That means a lot. I was worried about the audio. 💖☺️ Have a nice day. ✨
How dumb can you be to not know about French revolution also nice nitpicking you dumbass did someone even bother to send you to school? Guess nobody gave a fuck
I find it interesting that they made Jeanne the pinnacle of ‘what a woman should be’. She is kind, soft and beautiful while also persevering through her hardships with kindness towards those who would turn their backs on her. She isn’t rageful, nor is she vindictive, she merely try’s to be seen as good in the people’s eyes. Jeanne’s beauty and kindness is ultimately her down fall. no matter who she pleases, she will always remain the martyr because of her attributes and she will remain as such.
I love the color symbolism analysis and you explaining the context of the cultural differences.
Being able to interpret art however you like really makes me believe we all can connect, whether it be within ourselves or with everything else. No matter if we agree with one another or not, art speaks volumes to all! Great work!
Thank you cookiesyrup! 🍪 I’m glad you enjoyed the colour symbolism and cultural context of the film.
CW: SA (not explicit)
I'm really ok with stylized assaults as long as they are not purely aesthetic. There's meaning in the SA scene here. I connect to it as a survivor bc of the distortions in time + sensory perception I experienced, while other aspects of reality were pushed back, blurred, removed. The scene captures that. The shock is in that scene too, & the simultaneous in-body/not-in-body surrealism.
My wife sent me this video and I had never seen the movie until now, so here I am. Great movie, but I definitely won't be watching it again.
It makes me sad to know that so many families out there are raising their children in a manner that almost dooms them to repeat these cycles of violence, giving them very little chance for escape. I know so mamy men and boys that would see this movie as erotic because they've been so hypersexualized that nearly any hint of naked skin turns them on. It was literally a lesson we were taught early, that boys are dirty sexual creatures and that the girls must remain pure. Boys were encouraged to "steal as much virture" as they could while the girls were taught to remain on guard. I remember how it crept in to our children's games and made us feel awkward for playing with each other, until the day came were we no longer did.
And then they wonder why they became strangers to one another, and in some people's eyes, enemies.
Sorry for the rant. It was a very emotional movie portraying a silent history that should not have been hushed away.
Thanks for sharing your perspective, you put it so well. I've tried time and time again to explain how little boys aren't inherently sexual demons and that their normal hormones are being exploited by adults who want to project their libidos on kids. Little boys get told by their friends, by adults, by society that they are meant to be horny and that they are meant to be rough and meant to be harassing girls for sex, and so they do. And then when they get preyed on by adult women, it's "okay" because the boy "enjoyed it", because "boys have tons of hormones". Like shut up.
I have a question, which feel free to ignore since I'm just curious, what did you mean by the part it crept into children's games? In what ways?
@@caseywilde7931 They meant as in when kids were playing with each other. For example, when you're young and don't know what gender roles are, you may not think anything of playing with a bunch of boys as a girl. But if your mom warns you about boys, you're way less comfortable playing with them even if they're your friends. Or, if you're a boy and you try to act as a husband if you're playing house, you may get called girly if you try to pretend-play doing chores like cooking and cleaning. Normal games become tainted as boys start fearing being called feminine and girls start fearing being hurt by boys.
And if boys get told that girls are supposed to act a certain way, or girls get told that boys act a certain way, they may be cruel towards their friend because that's the behavior their parents punish them for.
@ettaetta439 Thank you for the well worded insight 😁
@caseywilde7931
I don't want to repeat what was already previously given to you, but it was such a good response!
Anyway, I meant that societal norms crept in to the games by way of, most commonly, the previous generations. Almost like punishing someone for a crime they have yet to commit, genders are separated for what many elders fear is to come, which more often than not seems to breed the very crimes they fear. Rather than providing understanding and clarity between genders, they create distance, fear, misinformation, animosity, and competition.
I understand this world will never be free of misfortune, but in our attempts to strike it out completely do we often breed it beyond control in the darkest places of our souls.
I'll give an example that, as an eight year old, really confused me and never was explained to me. I don't know if you're familiar with professional wrestling, but there was a wrestler who used to taunt the crowd and opponents with an X motion of his arms down to his crotch, and he and the crowd would scream "Suck it." Very extra, of course, and I'm sure there's a lot to unpack there in both sociological and psychological terms, but as kids, we didn't really understand it and just did it for fun, both boys and girls alike.
We had just finished playing wrestling at school, which honestly didn't have much actual wrestling, just a lot of drama talk. My friend got picked up by her Mother, who watched wrestling with her daughter, and as a goodbye I did the X move, said the catch phrase, and she returned it. Horrible idea for both of us. I got suspended and coached for sexual harassment, and warned that I was on my way to become a rapist. She couldn't play with us anymore, me mostly, but I was a boy and very popular at school so they took my side, even though there should have been no sides. Her and I just wanted to play together but she got left alone.
Well, my mother said nothing to me about it other than not to do it again. My step father abused me for it. I just really didn't know what to think of the situation. I'm sure you can imagine all the things kids might have to say around this.
@@WhenIsItUs Yep. It's horrific, the way kids are raised in regards to gender norms. To me, these are excuses predators make ("I can't control my urges, I'm a man"), and then it is also applied to young boys who just want to play with Legos and have trouble mustering up the confidence to talk to the cute girl they like. They want to feel like their urges to hurt women are valid and normal, so they teach it to their kids. These boys then feel isolated and like possible predators at every turn (and are treated as such by society), but they are unable to express their deep insecurities because the culture of manhood is to repress everything. Only anger is a valid emotion, and every other emotion is for women. Pair that with men like Andrew Tate and other such manipulative people online who feed these insecurities, and you have a horrible concoction.
Pair that with the rate of boys who are SA'ed by adult women, but don't even realize it's SA because their perceptions were adultified so heavily that they think it's "game". This can easily lead to resentment for women due to the gender of their assaulter, and they don't even acknowledge it as a trauma based response because they think they consented. Along with abusive or coddling mothers and women in boy's lives, that will naturally affect how they see women and treat women. It's a multifaceted issue.
So young boys get conditioned into becoming violent or angry or depressed, while young girls then are forced to avoid these boys and men for their own safety. This is not to diminish the fact that girls also become violent and angry, this is to say that the general society represses women's anger and labels it as crazy while for men, it is an expression of power. It's an unfortunate cycle that only leads to more pain.
It is interesting that both Lady Snowblood & Belladona of sadness came out in the same year 1973 where both somehow cement the idea that the suffering, violence & SA of women serves as her phoenix moment, a trope that has been heavily used until recently but is dying for good. Although this film isn't overtly feminist it does presents themes of rejection of patriarchy. It is a imperfect yet stunning film. Loved your essay.💜
Thanks, Ananya! Thanks for your insights! I’ll definitely have a look into Lady Snowblood now that you’ve mentioned it! ❤️
@@yilyau Yes please. 💜
It is intentionally done by men to try and excuse what they do and did and say, well if I didn't, you wouldn't of become a phoenix. The truth is she's gone forever and there is nothing you can do to repair her or her wound. Evil won a long time ago and men just make these films over. I know you think it's a woman making the film, but it's not, it's a man. Just like Catilyn.
@@juliebella1221🙄🤦😒
@lobo-uh2tb And this means what? Idiocracy the movie in real life where peeps only speak in emoji?
I think the that makes me reluctant about this film is the way that Jeanne receives her powers through being repeatedly *raped* by the Devil. I feel like it kind of undercuts and contradicts the anti-sexual assault themes for the source of Jeanne's power and healing after sexual assault to originate from... yet another sexual assault. It would be different if she were just making a generic deal or having sex more willingly, but as it is, it comes across like one rape is somehow being expected to fix another rape.
The only way it really makes sense to me is to view the film through the lens of the book it was based on, wherein Jules Michelet argued that women are forced into Satanism and witchcraft due to their mistreatment by society leaving them no other recourse, essentially arguing that the Devil is abusing desperate women the same way a pimp might. But he was arguing from a Christian background that saw the Devil as an actual, literal being, whereas this is an art film that is presumably working from a more metaphorical angle.
I always saw it as a metaphor for her retraumatising herself in order to "make it up" to Jean because of the guilt she felt about being abused in the first place, which is something that rings true for a lot of survivors, especially those who end up becoming hypersexual as a self-harming method. I wouldn't consider the film uplifting or empowering, to me the story itself felt like a true tragedy. It felt as if no matter how badly Jeanne tried to make something powerful (or just plain move on) out of the horrible experience, she was still being constantly punished by the world, including herself, for being "sinful" even though she had no part in the abuse inflicted upon her, she was made to feel as if her body was just a thing for the world to take, and in the end they just tore her apart for daring to keep existing.
I dont see the devil as the literal figure. I think what the imp is, is jeanne masturbating, actually, and later throwing herself at sexual encounters in an attept to reclaim that part of herself
@@virvewirllosin spite of it all, she lives on.
I think that's an apt description, what do you think of it.
Just finished watching the film and I can say I loved it. I saw these scenes pretty differently. If you notice initially she is always willing to have sex with the devil, only to change her mind midway through. I interpreted it as her repressing her sexuality (represented by the devil, obviously) as she still sees it as a sin. Only later, when she completely abandons society she accepts the devil and becomes a witch by, as shown, having sex with him. Honestly I didn't see these scenes as rape scenes, but I guess this movie is by its nature open to multiple interpretations.
It's a metaphor for her pain of losing her soul. She never wanted to be a witch or live the life she ended up living. The SA represents her giving up her original dreams and aspirations and the pain that comes with that
I would guess that if this film was inspired by Satanism, especially if it's the LaVeyan brand, then it's a fair interpretation to take "the devil" as being a metaphor for self liberation; it's her ego (not the bad "ego" like a narscissist, but "the ego" as in "sense of self"). More to the point, Lavey's Satanism puts emphasis on consent being necessary. Perhaps the SA scene with the devil isn't SA (presently occurring), but is the main characters internal confrontation with her past experiences, as it's imperitive to face our traumas to move toward self empowerment (another concept present in Laveys belief system- usually referred to as "magic", but really means psychology).
Thanks for adding this. 💖🙌🏻
@@yilyau You're welcome. Good essay on your part.
Lavey is still a religious nutjob. There's nothing satanic about self liberation.
I just watched the movie and my first thought was literally abt how sacrilegious it was lol. It definitely read very satanist. And the part abt her encounters with the devil being encounters with herself! I agree, I interpreted it almost like she was having a flashback of sorts
I don't understand why the narrator called Jean a kind man. First, he chokes her unconscious, then, he rejects her after getting her hand chopped, and then blocks the door before she gets assaulted. He literally waited until the end of the movie to do something useful, and even then he's a complete failure ase he ends up a pincushion. While I respect him for his noble sacrifice at the end, I feel like he was too late at the start. He should've at least supported her and tried to get rid of her trauma.
Different people have different interpretations. I should’ve included, when he choked her, I interpreted that as he couldn’t get over the fact she’d been assaulted. Some people may read that instead as him seeing her pain and doing her a favour.
My guess is Jean was just a bit of a coward until the end. Some people may read it differently.
@@yilyau
Other viewers hated him. Gabyella's one of them.
I thought that was a realistic portrayal of how multi-dimensional people can be. Like how you can be great friends with someone then they turn on you, or someone could be against you in the beginning and even take part in bullying you, but in the end they somewhat change and act better towards you for whatever reason. I’ve seen stuff like this irl, so the behavior portrayed didn’t seem off to me.
@@tiahnarodriguez3809
That sounds like The Fellers from Little Lulu.
@@tiahnarodriguez3809 In the Yugoslavian Wars the muslim fathers usually killed their daugthers after they were defiled by their enemys. There are many storys of girls/woman running over hills getting chased with knifes and killed.
just a thought, but in the context of The Devil being an expression of Jeanne's traumatized psyche, her exchange of sexual pleasure (the handjob) for The Devil's Power could be interpreted as an act of empowering oneself through self-pleasure (masturbation), an act that was seen (and still is in many religious traditions) as sinful and profane, and therefore a tool of The Devil (not saying that masturbation is evil or hurts anyone, but that's how taking one's pleasure into one's own hands was seen by the devout, as an affront to God's authority)
This is a really good interpretation! Don't have much more to say than that, but it really got me thinking! And it would definitely fit in the time period it's set in
As a survivor, I find much more denigrating or triggering the graphic, realistic and "in your face" scenes of SA, I think this animation portraits the trauma of the attack without the morbid insensitivity of showing off the victims torture, also if anyone feels any kind of arousal from any kind of SA or SV that speaks more about that person's twisted mind than the scene in question 🙄
Something interesting I think you should know that you can learn in any basic psychology 101 class is that a victim can still be physically aroused by what’s going on, while psychologically being horrified by it. It’s part of the reason rape IS TRAUMATIC. Just an fyi. You may want to look that up and do your research before telling a victim it’s “about the twisted mind they have.” Of course it is. They already know that.
Makes it harder for victims to come out if they know they’ll BE SHAMED for something reasonably natural. In a setting where the sex was consensual, the body is doing the right thing and reacting the way it should. It’s a healthy body and should never EVER be shunned for that. Again, FYI. Part of the trauma is helping the mind understand the body ISNT AT FAULT.
I had to face that grim reality. Not every SA is the same. Dont say I enjoyed it, because enjoying it with family is something you and I can agree to disagree on. I was hurt very badly. My body however was doing the natural thing it should to prevent injury. As in, getting moist, tingling. Yes these things are uncomfortable to talk about BUT THEY HAPPEN. So let’s not shit on the people who can’t control what the body does. ~From someone who went to counseling, and the counselor presented me with that beautiful piece of information. [The body is allowed to enjoy sex. When being assaulted you have a disconnect between the mind and body. Your mind knows you said no, and aren’t enjoying the process, but the body CANT FIGHT BACK. It physically shuts down to protect you, and does what it’s supposed to do.]
I say allowed to enjoy sex because you start almost feeling guilty for enjoying it with anyone you truly love, when you know one time it happened it wasn’t supposed to. Now you’re stuck in the mindset I’m not allowed to enjoy it or people will believe my assault didn’t happen. That for the rest of my life, I’m not ALLOWED to heal from it.
@@JM.piwz1 I think you misunderstood them. When they said if anyone feels any kind of arousal from it, they meant viewers watching the scenes, not victims themselves. I completely agree with you though on everything else, SA is very complex for victims (I am a victim myself) and so many people try to shoehorn survivors into a box of how they should behave during and afterwards and it causes a lot of further unnecessary stress and trauma and makes healing more difficult. I hope you're doing better now and can continue to heal
One of my favorite obscure animated movies. Glad more people are finding out about it!
I’m curious what other animation you like?
Obviously Perfect Blue, Tokyo Godfathers and Paprika are considered relatively mainstream.
Some of these are probably not considered obscure but I enjoyed Angel’s Egg, Memories, Millennium Actress, Night on the Galactic Railroad and The Triplets of Belleville.
As for anime, I think Lain, Evangelion, Mononoke, Made in Abyss, To Your Eternity and Shinsekai Yori (are not the same, but) in a similar vein.
Hi. Where can I watch the movie? I´ve been looking for it for a while but I can not find it
You can join a streaming service, buy it or pirate it (at your own risk). 🙃🖤
I looked on Amazon but I can't find a DVD of it. I would gladly buy this! what an amazing portrayal. even just this video on it was incredibly moving and emotional. the art is mind blowing
@amberevol it was on Tubi, not sure if it still is. I found a copy on Amazon a year or two ago when I discovered it. I love the way it's drawn and I was attracted by the way they used watercolors, I haven't seen anything like it before.
I always believed that the new and more modern animation is better than the old one, because of its evolution. I changed my mind. This is on another level not just visually, but it also depicts a lot of intelligence from the authors to make it so abstract yet so understandable, and give it so much meaning.
Yes, there’s a lot of good older animation! 💖
Modern animation is better. Have you seen 'Nimona'? It's the best animated film to date.
@@Ri57490 is this comment satirical
@@louschwick7301I'm being serious.
@@Ri57490 Yes, there is plenty good modern animation. But this one here caught my attention with its unique art style.
Thank you for bringing this film to my attention it has deeply touched something in me that has never been seen before. I’ve never felt so much more described in regards of emotional anguish and self reflection of grieving after SA. 10/10
Hi, I’m not sure if I read your comment correctly about being SA’d, but I’m really sorry if that happened to you.
I always don’t know what to really say when people bring up their SA experiences, as I feel like words can never be enough. But I really hope you can heal or have healed and found peace and solace.
Also, wish you the happiest and best in life; it is never your fault and no one deserves to have those experiences in life. ❤️❤️❤️
This movie always triggered me as it was so parralel to my rape/sexual abuse and mental degradation leading to psychosis u_u
I’ve healed from it in time but man this movie will always haunt me if put on near me 😢 sad cuz it’s very pretty animation
Sorry to hear that! Truly! I’m glad you’ve healed. Don’t put anything on that could cause you more trauma. ☺️❤️
Just popped up suggested for me, I can't believe this doesn't have more views! Keep up the great work :)
Thank you so much, walkanother for the first comment! 💖🙏🏻 Have a nice day. ☺️
This is so depressing. Life sucks being a woman.
Seek therapy. Thats not true.
100% true. And there is no undoing what they've done to us.
@@VioletProVixenyou must of no been treated bad.
@@practicalgamer4991 I'd suggest you stop making your own judgements about people's statements. Before fully understanding the dynamics that come into play.
Indeed women have hard life. But so does a man, a husband, a wife, a father , a mother, a soldier, a homeless person , a rich person, a happy person, a sad person, a farmer, a carpenter, an engineer, an farmer. Every single person faces some sort of adversity in life. Some more than others. Some none at all. The answer is simple for all. Embrace the pain. Accept the reality, Bring closure to pain and move forward and change what causes you pain. Be better than what holds you back. Change the idiotic and hypocritical reality that ties you down. And be the victor of your circumstance. Win and reclaim your dignity. That has been, and will always be with you and YOU ALONE. NONE CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU. NOBODY.
Sigh all in all. What I am saying is that well forge your own path child . The world is yours to make.
Pfft lol
Personally, I think it's a very feminist film. It's a realistic portrayal and critique of how women are treated in society, which just like in real life, doesn't lead to a happy ending for most women. That's especially true of Japan, and DOUBLY so during the 1970s when this was made.
That, to me, makes it a feminist film in the purest sense. Jeanne is a construct, a symbol through which the audience can see all of the most common ways women are disregarded and even treated with disdain and apathy by greater society. Jeanne has done nothing wrong, yet gets treated horrifically simply for being a woman.
First her beauty and her virginity are exploited and become a source of great pain for her, as older men only see those two traits as the only value a woman has.
We then see Jeanne overcome her trauma and gain power and influence through her own skill and talent alone. But even though the townspeople are happy to benefit from her hard work, they immediately turn on her the instant a man exposes her body, reminding them that she is a woman, and therefore should not be qualified to fulfill the roles that up until that moment, Jeanne not only succeeded at, but thrived in. It's the same tired double standard women have dealt with for centuries, and still deal with now in countless professions that have arbitrarily been categorized as "men's work".
Finally, when everything has been taken from her and she abandons her previous life to become a witch living harmoniously in nature far removed from the organized society who shunned her, she again achieves power and influence,. Only this time, instead of her talent being incidental and irrelevant to her gender, now her power stems directly from it. Even her choice to embrace the devil is not a fault for her, as the church had done nothing but treat her horribly and try to make women fear their own bodies, rather than celebrate them.
Once Jeanne embraces her womanliness, she flourishes. She even forgives all of the people who have betrayed her, for she is ultimately kind, and wants to show the repressed church that her way of life eases suffering, whereas the church only seems to cause it. But she is betrayed again by men in power and especially the clergy, mirroring the real life fate of respected and revered medicine women suddenly being stamped out by the church and labeled as heathen.
Even the ending is not necessarily bleak. The first time she is betrayed, the rest of society turns against her, too. But the second time, the townsfolk rise up in defiance of the church to defend her. It's only the might of the deacon and his superior weaponry that ultimately cows the townsfolk into silence. I think this shows that society is slowly beginning to change their attitudes towards women, but feel pressured by current societal norms to keep any progressive opinions to themselves and continue upholding the status quo.
Change is still far off, but at least the seed of hope is there that one day that change will come.
I found it to be very thematically dense. There are so many valid ways of reading the film. It is also some master class wtfery.
I kept wanting Jeanne to get a win, but the ultimate tragedy was that there were so many forces at work to pull her down. I really liked her character. Sh wasn’t some gung ho strong character, but a woman who showed her strength by continually picking herself back up again. She was naive, tragic, and soft, but also resilient and forgiving, helping the villagers who’d shunned her, ultimately winning them over and making their lives better, even though they were ultimately helpless to save her from her fate.
It’s more complex than the usual female empowerment story that glorifies the rebellion, showing how her efforts often backfired on her.
It’s strange, but I’ve found some of the most beautiful, complex, and thought provoking pieces are among the exploitation genre. Perhaps because exploitation is already delving into the taboo, it has more leeway to actually explore ideas often glossed over by the mainstream which feels the need to justify itself.
Belladonna of Sadness never seemed to feel the need to justify itself to the audience for the majority of the film. Often films these days feel the need to hold your hands through the concepts they work with. This film takes you along and lets you figure out what you’ll take from it.
And it is very sexy. A very confusing sort of sexy that makes you wonder if maybe there is something wrong with you for getting turned on.
Also, I literally rented the movie right before watching your video just so I would know what you were talking about. Add it to the list of films I highly praise but cannot recommend to my family and friends because I have such a higher tolerance for exploitation and weirdness in film than most.
“Oh it’s gorgeous and though provoking. Don’t watch it, you’ll hate it”
Because I’m a masochist when it comes to movies or something.
Thanks for renting it out. 💖
I dont see how exploitation is taboo. Exploitation particulary of women is the bread and butter of capitalism and patriarcy of most of our societies ever since fathers were the first pimps selling their daughters off for resources. All depictions of women being exploited wether sublty, obvious in comedy or horror or action and romance are all just the same old same old cultural propaganda. Women being exploited is sexualised and demanded it is the standard that women sacrifice their bodies, minds and souls for society and particulary for men. Women are seen as objects and objects are meant to be used. So I dont see how it is really a taboo. the fighting back/revenge trope for women is relatively new whilst I dont feel it is always realistic there were definelty times in the past and present were women did and do take revenge or liberate themselves from exploitation it is however less documented and promoted or shown, even in old paintings you will see them often re-portray women as sad, passive or docile when defending themselves for example the painting "the beheading of Holofernes by Judith" was repainted to a more docile and soft version becaue women committing violence particulary towards men who have or want to harm them is the actual taboo. Women trying to appease society and men after being exploited and then continuint to be exploited is the default and the expectation of women and girls, alot of womens trauma response is even to be pleasend and accommodating because we are taught if we are sweet and nice they wont hurt us or hurt us more or worse when we are so mentally ruined from being groomed that we care more if we are liked then of our own safety and life. Exploitation even amongst men is the standard. ie men being used as cannon fodder by other more powerful men, parents giving birth to children for the sake of exploiting them emotionally, physically or and financially.
It turned me on slightly and that made me realise that I have some real deep unhealed scars.
I was obsessed with Belladonna of Sadness back in college & found it on TUBI. I liked the art style & kinda ignored the story. Anyway, Jeanne is violated by men but finds power by submitting to a phallic object(the Devil). She ultimately ends up dying but she was always damned before her deal with the Devil. She's beautiful and helpless in a world that covets beauty and overpowers the weak
6:22 this point! I feel like this is what distinguishes earnest portrayals of human trauma vs portrayals that feel like fetish content pandering to creepy straight men, veiled under the guise of artistic integrity
Butterflies also are found around the dead because of the salt in the blood I believe. But i could be reading way too much into it.
thank you so much. i needed a little explanation!! i was so confused by the reoccurring devil like i literally couldn’t tell if it was representing guilt or shame and when she pleasured him was it masturbation?? just bc positive things would always come after that helped jeanne like the cloth and the medicine. those representing her embracing her womanhood again even though she feels shameful. but whenever he visited i was scared!! it reminded me of when i first addressed what happened to me like it’s scary to think about and hard but addressing it is overall for the better. when the devil says “i am you” and “im as big as you want me to be” i feel like that’s saying this is your trauma and unless u deal with me you will always be in this state. then as she fully embraces the devil she becomes a witch and saves the village?? like idk that seems like a positive to me. she is coming into her power as a woman and healer and that is threatening to the baron
Belladonna of sadness is one of the greatest experimental films produced from the 70's. You did well!
Was not expecting a video essay on Belladonna of Sadness in late 2023, but absolutely not complaining! This was a great video, and I’m glad you got the big views here!
Thanks, Audrey. ✨😊 I wasn’t expecting to gain any traction on the video either.
this film was so beautiful and powerful to me. thank you for such a good essay :)
Thank you for the kind words, zigzagzagoon. I’m glad you enjoyed the film and video! 💖
im here since day one talking about how great belladonna of sadness is‼️‼️
Glad to see someone is! 💖☺️
Good video, I think whatever you did in the "the tragedy" segment with the audio is probably the best to go with.
considering the regular bumps in the audio, I guess you're having a mic stand. you might wanna put something soft-ish underneath to soften the blow.
Also turning down the gain and turning up the volume in post might help with the overmodulation or maybe use OBS to record to keep your mic levels in check while recording.
could you please also link the music you used? I really like your music choice and that you kept in mind not to make it too loud. I would love to listen to it on my own time.
you have potential :3
Hi, FeldiArts. Thanks for the tips. I can’t remember which music I had chosen, since I have a subscription with a site that allows you to use the music for commercial use. I made it within a few after work, so I didn’t have time to note down the music - sorry! 😆✨
tombeau de vivaldi thats the song at 7:02
I feel Malena did what many want to feel Belladonna did but much better..also related to media such as Tomie and Helter Skelter. Clark Eileson's Video Essay 'The Horror of Having a Body' is another great one to watch if anyone is interested in this subject matter.
i watched this film recently and it did give off malena vibes imo
or malena gave off this film's vibes. i think they're both well done in their own ways tho despite the flaws
i feel like viewing this movie only in terms of whether or not it is feminist is just reductive. the movie is about jeanne and the horrible things she goes through due to the patriarchy. i don't think it needs to be empowering, because it's fundamentally a film about how she can't maintain power due to being a woman. like that's the point. movies can be about bad things happening to people for no reason. the important part for me is that it is just about jeanne's experience, it's her perspective and focused on her emotional reality, and her life just really sucks for the most part. also as for people who dislike all the sex and nudity, it's quite literally a movie about sex, it's an x rated film. and it's not necessarily arousing, it's just about sex. it kind of makes me mad that we are assuming we are going to sexualize her in most of these moments or find them erotic. i won't let men being gross take away from what this movie is really about, which is jeanne's story.
Great video! It's been a while since I saw the film but it definitely left an impression. Really great analysis!
Thanks a lot, Ahana Nags! 💖😆 Have a good one. ✨
Excellent essay! 😮did not know that Tezuka was a part of this, I’ll definitely watch the movie.
Thanks a lot, Sofia! 💖 I believe Tezuka left half way through production to focus on his other production company, ‘Tezuka productions’.
It’s definitely worth a watch. I hope you enjoy the film! 👍🏻
This is a beautiful essay on a beautiful film
Thank you so much, Eldritch! 💖 Much appreciated. ✨🙏🏻
This story reminds me of my Abuela's story and a movie I saw. My Abuela was a stunning beauty who looked like a Mexican Ava Gardner and was both adored yet hated by both men and women. When she aged and got ill, people acted like it was a crime. It was perplexing to me bc she always had been good. She hadn't changed as a person so I couldn't understand why she was treated so differently. In the movie, there is a similarly stunning young woman in a small Italian town who is forced into prostitution after her husband is believed to have died in WW2. Local women refuse to hire her as a seamstress (it was a mostly female profession) bc their husbands lust after her and they are insecure. She is treated like a Jezebel purely on her beauty and it's from the view of a young boy with a crush. Her husband eventually comes back and they leave along with her ailing father to never return. Both stories are some of the many reasons why I believe there is a difference between a beautiful soul and a beautiful person. It's certainly possible to have both, but they are different things. People lust after beautiful people, but they see them as things without feeling or demonize them based on their own insecurities.
I have not watched this movie but your video convinced me to. I think that's a testament to how well you conveyed yourself.
Thank you so much, Alex! 💖 Hope you enjoy the film. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
If you dont feel super hot please know that this isn't a competition for one thing. No one is saying that other people don't get aped and have bad things happen. Actually one in 3 women in America will end up aped. One in 5 men will. One in 3 kids end up getting moles ted. We can discuss these things without being defensive. We can talk about our experiences without bettling someone else's. If pretty people privilege is a thing does that mean they deserve to be attacked and have bad stuff happen to them? It's not a thing btw. People think that because they get jobs in Hollywood and seem so happy on Instagram. But keep in mind that nothing comes without a cost. That's why Hollywood people take their own lives sometimes. Anyways, this was a great TH-cam video. I didn't know about this. The art is really beautiful. Cheers
please PLEASE refrain from putting your first content warning with flashing images , i know you probably meant it artistically but if you care about accesibility you shouldnt do a thing like that on the very first seconds of your video.
Hi, I’m not sure what you mean? Are you asking me to put a flash warning on the first few seconds or not to put it on the first few seconds? ☺️✨
Oh sorry, I understand what you mean now! Yes it was an artistic choice (and YT’s copyright stuff). I pinned a comment, if you need captions they are available in the settings! 💖✨😆 I’ll be more mindful next time!
I personally could not sit through this movie. it felt more like it was exploiting Jeanne's misey rather than actually empathizing with it.
Never was I bullied more than when I was “ugly” in jr.hi in an idaho hicktown full of haters in a woman hating cult. (Which is basically what the patriarchy we all live in is, so it’s not just idaho)
which led at age 13 to my 1st suicide attempt.
10 years later I was paid to be a beautiful NYC runway model.
Only to discover
Beauty comes at a cost too.
(For instance)
I was 129 lbs and 5’9” and the stylists wanted me to be 119 and tried to get everyone a coke habit.
Which didn’t work on me because I already had a career in publishing as a cartoonist and didn’t need modeling to pay my bills.
Then when I was 40 I needed to leave the big city so I could attempt to buy a home (it took 10 years).
During this time at every turn i got messed with in the new little hick town by haters, because I was now old and ugly and they are sexist or because I was beautiful and they were jealous or whatever reason.
Any ways, haters are gonna hate no matter what you do.
If you go through this world evoking extreme love and hate reactions in people you gotta be doing the right thing.
Its a sign you inspire people.
I got 99 problems but being boring is not one.
As an artist my only goal is to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed.
Though even at age 50 with all my life experience accomplishments and wisdom I sometimes wish that 1st attempt had worked and spared me all these years of pain.
But whatever, life is suffering, and if you accept that, the moments of fleeting happiness are sweeter.
And every morning just try to give thanks that even though I need glasses, I can see, and pay my bills and that there is love in my life.
I try to derive joy from strategizing and flexing continually and bigger and better to the haters with the hopes that one day they will stop.
And my life legacy will be to make the lives of other magical beings easier in this world.
❤❤❤ so relate
I'm really glad to see someone talk about this movie. Belladonna of Sadness is one of my biggest artistic and storytelling inspirations despite its flaws
Yes, I think it’s art is probably one of its biggest merits. Regardless of whether people like it’s subject material or whether they think it’s feminist/exploitative/neither, I think they should give it a watch (unless it offends).
This movie changed me the same way Fight Club changes weird men
Ever since I gained weight (due to some health issues) I am no longer considered "beautiful". 0 catcalling, 0 pushy strangers, 0 annoyance. I guess being beautiful really can be an invitation to abuse.
I’m ugly. I got raped. So no, being abused is not something that only pretty women suffer from. The people that think that only pretty women are abused are disgusting. In fact, predators are more likely to target people that are powerless/more likely to not be believed, like ugly women.
@@KillerQueen-gx4vbim so sorry to hear that.
It just happens to be what this is about. But we all know a lot of people get abused. Men, women, trans people etc etc. But thank you for not belittling the experience of so called pretty people or whatever. It's not a competition and some people see it as such. ❤ Also I like all sorts of things. I think Anthony Hopkins is hot even as an old man. So beauty isn't always the same thing for everyone. I know one thing is for sure.... Your heart is beautiful
I love the analysis in your video! It's a pretty good essay, and I appreciate the time you took to do this. 💖
Like what some people have said though, the images and videos flashed a bit too much. I do have tips for the type of artistic representation you have here though!
1) when showing important figures, like when you were describing the evil queen, you can instead use about 1, 2, or 3 videos that, each kind of slowed and mirrored so it doesn't have to switch far too often between those shots.
2) in relation to 1) ^^^, there's no shame in using still images between shots! In fact, you can also use still images that are drifting slowly left to right, to give a sense of movement while bringing your point across.
3) in terms of using important shots, it's awesome that you were able to use so much content from the movie itself. Again, however, you can always re-prioritize different shots into different portions of your video instead of reusing a few shots several times within one scene. Hope that makes sense! 😅 😊
I really do think you did a good job! Especially with the censorship, it was well done enough that I honestly kind of thought it was part of the movie. It wasn't that distracting! :>
And it's awesome you're listening to your commentors as well -- and you're quite polite too. 😊 Good luck with your future videos!! ❤❤❤
Thanks, heroyolkie! I’ll keep in mind your tips. I’m editing my next video to be slower! I’ll keep it in mind for videos I haven’t finished yet. 💖😆
I listened to the music before even knowing that it was for a short film! The music is amazing, and is by Masahiko sato. I greatly recommend the music
personally, i don't think this film was intended to be anything more than your typical sexploitation film of the time. the feminist elements are kind of aimless and muddy if you take it at face value, especially with the pretty gratuitous (though artsy) depictions of SA. however! intent and impact/interpretation are different things! i think it's gorgeous as an art piece and very easily reclaimed by women and feminism as a cathartic tragedy. i accidental stumbled upon it as a kid, and ofc was highly disturbed, but it resonated with me deeply when i revisited it as an adult. i LOVE the interpretation of the devil as an amalgamation of Jeanne's estranged inner "demons", aka everything deemed undesirable by men and society at large.
Man... I never knew about this movie. Even with audio issues i truly enjoyed your essay. I hope you get enough views and subs so you can get a new mic because i would totally enjoy listening to more of your stuff. Amazing job. Insta sub.
Thanks Moonieglow, this is a new mic, but it’s just really sensitive and picks up sound from particular spots so I’ll be changing back to my old mic even though it’s not overall as good. 💖☺️
Had this in my "watch later" for a while and I'm so glad I finally got around to watching it. It's such a beautiful film with a very moving message but I can't watch it myself due to how sensitive I can be to strong depictions of SA, but your lovely analysis helped me get through it and I was finally able to experience the film, even if it may not have been in full or how it was intended to be experienced.
Thank you for the comment, Gremloid. I’m happy you gleaned some value from my video, despite not being able to watch Belladonna! Hope you have a lovely day. 😌🌸
Existing is often an invitation for abuse. There are just different aspects of it. This is an explanation of the excuse of beauty to abuse.
This film wasn't about empowerment through suffering.
it was about human's seeing other human's AS humans and not stairs.
Cruelty begets cruelty.
Love brings loves.
8:34
Hey, you mentioned the crow! None of the other analysis videos ever mentioned him for some reason. Thanks!
Thanks for noticing Mr. Crow! 👍🏻🐦⬛
@@yilyau
Man, I've been noticed him! It's the other analysis videos of this film that don't seem to notice. Hey wait. Whaddya mean "caws silently"? He didn't even make a sound. All he did was some weird bird dance.
I can understand the editing if its part of the movie, but you need to put a flashing images warning on this or the next video. It was physically straining to watch. Great video regardless!
Thanks for the tip! I'll be sure to put it on any videos I haven't finished already making, if there's a quick succession of scenes. 💖👌🏻😆
i feel like this reminded me of malena when i watched it recently
Yes 🙌 Love Malena! 😆✨
@@yilyau they both deserved better, it's so well done and written,
i like both movies opposing perspectives but ability to tell the same story. malena from the town's perspectives and jeanne from her own
After watching this, I feel like you'd kill it with Perfect Blue
Thanks Emma 💙 I was thinking about doing it, but I think there are several videos out there that are already amazing, so I’ll have to see. ☺️
@@yilyau No matter what, it will still be your own unique perspective, and that's what matters
Stumbled upon this when I was gonna listen to Masahiko Sato's iconic soundtrack. I'm surprised this movie hasn't gained a larger following and really enjoyed this essay! Look forward to more from this channel
Thanks, Lotharia! 😊🙏🏻 Yes, the soundtrack was great. I’m guessing being an animation and quite stylised had to do with its restricted following.
the animation is absolutely beautiful. im in love with the psychedelic art, it's so unique.
No seriously, i really love your videos. Don't stop making videos okay??
Thanks SweetSugarie. 💕 That’s very sweet. I’ll be honest, I’ve been a bit overwhelmed, but I’ll try to keep going. ☺️🙌🏻
@@yilyau But if you want to rest a while, it's okay, do whatever you want to do as long as it's make you feel comfortable. I didn't mean to force you or anything, i just wanted you to know that all of your videos are very beautiful, i love everything in your videos. Your voice, the content in the video, everything. 💗💗💗💗💗🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I LOVE THIS ESSAY!!! Love how there are more people talking about this movie its a hidden gem
I feel like this film immediately fails at being completely feminist by the fact that it was directed by a man. However, the interpretations that you provided to support it being feminist were very well versed and insightful. I agree with all of them. I feel like this film as a whole is just very up to the viewer to interpret, many elements go both ways. Other than that, excellent video, this movie will always be one of my favorites.
To me, it was one of the most unsettling movies I've ever seen, by the end I had really checked out. The fact that the scenes where abuse is happening are shown as "beautiful" "artistic" and at the same time heavily sexualized speak to me as made from the "male gaze". I even hate to use this language, but I really have no other words. Although it does depict distress I do think it was mixed with arousing imagery and she is undeniably drawn beautifully, while it is obvious the artist can draw "ugliness" or even neutrality from the other characters whenever her or her body are shown are drawn erotically, all the frames in the movie are carefully chosen and arranged, many shots at times are only intended to show her body. It was a choice to show her in that light while horrible things keep happening to her. That did felt fetishistic to me. The "perpetrator" visuals where at times, cartoony and even felt like mockery. Just a whimsical cartoon character who is not even human. I am aware it is supposed to be an artistic "interpretation" of what is happening, but in a way, that felt even more evil. Perhaps that's what they were trying to convey? Or making light of a situation. Who really knows except the creators of the film.
I love animation, I think the cognitive dissonance of something with a visually pleasing style showing something horrible happening deeply unsettled me. I don't think it was thought from her point of view, really. I suppose it could be seen as someone that keeps trying, but that seems a bit weak compared to the tragedies that keep happening to her. It felt like seeing an abuse from a voyeuristic point of view, from the one doing it. Still not sure what unsettled me the most, but I think the fact that many might see it and only find it "beautiful", "tragic", "sexy". Made me think of Lolita by Nabokov and how it is being written by his point of view only, where whatever is happening is almost acceptable and seen by most as a literary marvel. If it is not glorifying grape, it definitely is tragedy, which also felt strange. Make the beautiful sexy woman suffer over and over again, don't let her find a way, show her body, show her suffering, she is beautiful when she cries. She can take it, let's keep going. In any case, the fact that it causes strong emotions is an effect of art. The real intention stays with the creators, the interpretation with the viewers.
I just closed my eyes whilst listening to your voice portraying the story, love your voice and the way you deliver and explains the story
Thank you for this deep essay, as an animator and a french woman myself it was very interesting ❤! Didnt know the movie ended with the French revolution imagery! I really need to see it, i know it stills is released in french indie cinema sometimes~ Amazing work on this essay!
For myself, this wouldn’t be a movie I’d recommend if someone was looking for a feminist movie but I also wouldn’t want to rob women of the catharsis they feel from it. I would expect particularly privileged women and just all men to be able to engage critically with the movie but I can see why women would be touched by it.
Honestly, if the devil was a woman and Jean consented to having sex with her, it’d probably be a far more compelling feminist narrative. The devil being a man kind of just makes it feel like Jean still had to depend on the help of a man and she’s inherently disempowered because it’s a man receiving pleasure from a woman.
I think this is just you taking the character of the devil as something too literal. I always saw the devil as a metaphor of Jeanne's desires which were repressed by the church, the only way Jeanne manages to get power is by giving the devil consent to sleep with her, which makes me believe it simbolizes Jeanne surrendering to her own nature and desires, breaking free from society's chain to do as she pleases. The first time Jeanne sleeps with the devil she becomes ambitious and manages to get a wealthier life and status in society, things which were repressed by the church at that time since commoners weren't mean to raise in the hierarchy, which eventually led the church to take that away from her. The second time Jeanne sleeps with the devil is when her change become mostly permanent, at first she looks at herself with disgust as she surrendered once more to her desires by giving the devil consent (by this point, I could only visualize the devil as metaphor of masturbation and sexual urges in woman, things that were seen as morbid and impure as such things didn't line up with society's perception and image of what woman should be) but Jeanne eventually decides to live with nature, by accepting her desires (nature) she manages to become a powerful witch and while I can see why her end can be seen as unempowering by some people, I personally don't see it like that. Even if her ending was tragic she became a simbol for the townsfolk and her death eventually led to the people revelling against the church, which to me that is the main aspect of the movie "revellion".
Yes, this is why I gave a few interpretations of the devil in the end.
Technically, neither is really ‘wrong’; it’s just the way you saw this film.
@@germ2648 yeah I understand the devil exists or can exist metaphorically but it still feels unsavoury because even in that sense, it feels like she's giving up a part of herself when a female devil would reflect her inner self better and wouldn't titillate men who project themselves on the male characters. Especially since the movie sort of frames the devil as playing her, there's still a patriarchal power dynamic being displayed, at least visually.
@@sapphic.flower except there's none? Again, you're focusing in the most superficial aspect of this, why is it so important for the devil to be a woman instead of a man? It doesn't change the context, it doesn't really adds anything unless it's intended to but as far as I can tell, they can change the devil into a woman and nothing will change because the character of the devil serves a purpose in which gender has little to no importance, which is to lure Jeanne into submitting to her own nature. I just fail to see how the devil being a man seems to be such a big deal for you in another aspect that is not solely in a superficial way.
@@sapphic.flower Devil best trick was to make everyone he don't exsist.
This was an extremely good video, im seeing some people make commentary on your mic/editing, but i honestly adored this video and didnt even think it was bad.
Thank you for the kind words ☺️💜
Incredible essay
Thanks a lot for the kind comments, J. 💖😆 Have a nice day. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Hated this movie, but I love watching your video analysis! Very interesting, detailed, and informative!
Is it just me? I can't help but think the Belladonna of Sadness and its setting and themes sounds like a novel written by a European author of old times set in hardbound leather and yellowing pages read under a tree surrounded by grass of wheat with whimsical, lyrical poetry that keeps the reader engaged but at the same time shocked, uncomfortable and forcing the reader to contemplate
Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. I didn't know that I needed this. BUT I NEEDED THIS.
Thanks, cidnispells! Hope you got whatever you needed from this! 💖☺️
My theory is that since the "devil" says he is "you", as in Jean, this could mean that this imp is her animus. Carl Jung theorised that women had a male self, which he called animus, and men had a female self, which he called anima. Jungian psychology is pretty much considered outdated junk psychology along with Sigmund Freud's theories, though regarding anima and animus, I think Jung was on to something regarding gender identity, but just not quite. Personally, I do enjoy the idea of anima and animus when it's applied to film. I noticed you have a few video essays that may relate to the TV show Skins, which introduced me to Jungian psychology in film as a teenager. After his accident, Tony encounters a mysterious woman who is just around for some reason and seemingly knows him well. This woman is actually just a version of Tony, a manifestation or personification of certain parts of his psychology, which he learns to embody again, perhaps in a healthier way than he used to. I've also seen that Jack from Titanic is also theorised to be Rose's animus. And there's a manga called Inside Mari, which starts off seeming like a body-swap horror story, but then, and this is a spoiler for the story, it is eventually revealed that the man inside Mari is just a part of Mari. In pretty much all of these cases, I would say this Jungian theory plays out positively, so if we apply that to Belladonna of Sadness and what this means regarding Jean's situation with the imp/devil/you, then I think we can reasonably assume that its a net positive even if her story has a tragic ending that was out of her control.
I was going to include something like this, but I wasn’t sure if it would confuse the video too much.
Thanks for the great summary. 💖☺️
This reminds me a little of “ The Sudbury Devil”. People, especially women, are driven to difficult and destructive bargains in order to survive.
Wow I watched with this movie back in 2020 and had ZERO idea what it was about I just remember it being a artistic trip, this video really made me appreciate more
her also reminds me of Tomie whom had an irresistible beauty which made the guys went crazy for her and at the end become her own destruction
You say the guy who created this movie is sensitive about body parts, yet Jeanne is naked on screen through the rest of the film. Ironic since there aren't any cuss words in this movie. (Sideways whisper: With the exception of Bonehead's wife calling Jeanne that farmer b word.)
The guy said he would like you to address him as THE ‘God of Manga’, Osamu Tezuka.
He said if you have a problem you should take it up with him.
@@yilyau
Oh, sorry Manga King.
@@yilyau
Isn't Osamu dead?
He lives on in our hearts.
@@yilyau
RIP Osamu.
Initially when i watched the film i have very mixed feelings. At times i felt like jeanne did have agency but i think the flip flopping of the way morality is protrayed in the film really detracted from that. The devil at times could empower her, yet she had to endure feeling powerless to him. At times i felt the sexual assault was fetishistic because she was suffering but it looked still beatiful at times. I because of who made the film the message is so convoluted. To make this a tragedy but to also have beautiful sense of adultry felt reductive in some sense. I just disagree with depicting any beauty in sexual assault because to me there is no beauty to be seen in it. Its not say that evilness cannot be beautiful but to depict the rape of jeanne as beautiful undermines how terrible an experience rape truly is. At least thats how i feel when it comes to such things. I know every survivor has different experiences, i just think that maybe no such women or men were consulted in the making of this. Its arthouse so its up to interpretation. That being said its an impressive film regardless if its exploitative or feminist.
I low-key disagree about the beauty aspect because to the apist our suffering is seen as beautiful, but to us it’s horror. Learning this actually made it easier for me to understand that I was SA’d because the people who did it were sickos that were seeking to gain pleasure at the expensive of another person. For the longest time I truly believed that I deserved what happened to me. That it happened to me multiple times because there was something wrong with me and the people who SA’d me were justified in what they did to me, but after processing and realizing the reality of each situation, I know that’s not the case, and it truly wasn’t my fault.
The only issue I have with SA being portrayed as beautiful is it doesn’t show the victim’s perspective. Something I’d like to see in media that chooses to portray SA as pretty is also show the unfiltered horror perspective from the victim’s pov. I’d also like to see more realistic depictions where people freeze up and how confusing and scary it is because I feel media either makes it too sexy, unrealistic, or scripted which gives people a false idea of what ape actually looks like and feels like.
a ma on ig asked me to show my nudes,what's beautiful in it?i feel frightened
i just discovered your channel by this video, i'm usuallybad at finding new youtubers to watch and listen to.. but i was immedietely hooked! your voice and way of speaking is so soothing! great job , please keep uploading
Thanks Leadeleuran! Sorry for any audio issues (I’m still figuring out this sensitive mic). I’m a bit busy w/ work and studying, but I’ll try to upload per your request! 💖☺️ Thanks again for the support!
I decided to watch it after watching the first 5 seconds of this video.
I'm glad I stole time from work to watch it.
Your censoring of the abstract graphic portions are VERY well done.
This whole video honestly.
finally, another anime that doesn't romanticize abuse
FINALLY I FOUND THIS VIDEO!
I watched this video for a couple minutes and was enthralled by it but I accidentally deleted my history and for the life of me I couldn't find it anywhere, turns out I saved it in my video essay playlist
I will now finish it
love the analysis!! ill be sure to watch the full movie soon, your video is really really great i hope you gain more traction and success on youtube !! ❤❤
Thanks, faceshopper! 💖☺️
I think Tezuka had something going on those years, Ayako (manga) had similar themes and was published on 1973 (I think). I wonder what was happening as they're the most different among his other works (maybe along with Dororo). In Ayako, this girl went through so much pain through her life, but got a somewhat bittersweet justice in the end by kind of dragging them to the hell she endured for twenty years.
I brought this manga from the library without knowing anything about it, it just had a cute pink and purple cover. The story shocked me from the beginning, the only relief is that she could be free from her family and karma did get them all.
This film is beautiful and horrifying at the same time. It's insane. But fascinating. The ending is morose but almost bittersweet. It's truly art in that it conjures various emotions and is something you can talk about afterwards. I don't think I could watch it again.
This was incredible-thank you so much.❤
I own Fantastic Planet but I had forgotten all about this movie and haven’t seen it in decades! Now I have to go rewatch.
This video had me utterly enthralled from the moment it started. Excellent work!
i personally loathe everything the movie stands for even in its most charitable interpretations, and i still do...but your video essay made me realize its background, why it narrates its themes and tone, and the reason they're important. masterfully done
Thanks for the high praise, medearina! 💖☺️ I appreciate it! I respect most, if not all opinion on this film, and understand quite so why people wouldn’t necessarily take to this film or it’s themes (in certain interpretations). ✨
I wish my essays were this well articulated🙏
Thanks, you’re too kind! 💖✨ I checked out your video, nice song! ☺️🙏🏻
I felt compelled to check this out because of the beautiful abstract artstyle and arthouse look, don't be fooled it's very unpleasant with disturbing SA I loved the ending though, there is hope for the belladonna, I don't see it as a feminist work as much as it is a work about female suffering and how we can overcome it with empathy
So glad someones finally talking about this film. I remember finding it on Amazon Prime one late night and watching it out of curiosity. Its such a beautiful film
Thank you this is a beautiful essay about a very unique film. I am also a sa survivor and I really love this movie.
This seems like an amazing movie, I'm surprised bc I've been a serious anime fan for years and not heard of this one before!
I think the art alone is worth a watch. If you’re sensitive I think it’s best just to look up some stills and art influences.
The art is truly fascinating. Wish there were more movies like this.
I find it ridiculously ironic that this sexual adult animated nightmare fuel came out the same year as the beautifully emotional and heartwarming Hanna Barbera family film Charlotte's Web.
I thought you liked this film.
@@yilyau
Not really. Never said I did.
@@yilyau
All I said was it came out the same year as Charlotte's Web, which I find outrageous.